2024-05-26 16:15:09
Keylor Navas, the very best goalkeeper within the historical past of the Costa Rica nationwide group, introduced that he won’t put on the nationwide group shirt once more, so he won’t play within the subsequent Copa América together with his nation.
The 37-year-old goalkeeper put an finish to a 16-year profession as a nationwide group, by which he defended Costa Rica within the 2014 World Cups in Brazil, Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022, along with defending the Costa Rican objective in additional than 100 alternatives in worldwide video games.
Navas mentioned goodbye with a video by which he recounted his soccer life, from when he left his native Pérez Zeledón till his first sport as a nationwide group within the 2010 South Africa World Cup qualifiers.
The goalkeeper thanked the followers, his teammates and all of the individuals who accompanied him throughout his time with the nationwide group, the place his biggest achievement was reaching the quarterfinals of the World Cup in 2014.
“I’ll take with me joys, reminiscences, really unforgettable moments. We have now supported one another unconditionally. They’ve made me consider in honesty and loyalty. And most significantly, they’ve allowed me to be a part of their lives,” Navas mentioned.
That 2014 World Cup in Brazil was the one which marked Navas’ soar from the modest Levante of the Spanish league to the highly effective Actual Madrid, with which he has the achievement of being the one goalkeeper to win three consecutive European Champions Leagues for the reason that present format existed.
“I depart with a coronary heart filled with gratitude and eyes trying ahead. At all times carrying the title of our beloved Costa Rica. A small nation in territory however huge in coronary heart. It is a troublesome feeling to assimilate. This stage of my life with the nationwide group has come to an finish,” commented Navas in his farewell.
The Costa Rican Soccer Federation reported that Navas contacted the management and the coach Gustavo Alfaro to tell them of his determination earlier than making it public.
“For our Federation, describing Keylor is past numbers and feats. Keylor is the instance of all kids who dream of flying like a falcon! His nice performances and the thrill that we shared with one coronary heart, the guts of the Sele, will at all times stay within the reminiscences of Costa Ricans,” the group mentioned in a press release.