“I wanted to leave as much as I wanted to die” – Navas on his departure from Real Madrid

Having left PSG at the end of the 2023–2024 season, the Costa Rican goalkeeper has since found a new home in Argentina with local club Newell’s Old Boys. In a wide-ranging interview with Cadena SER, the 38-year-old discussed several topics, including his emotional exit from Real Madrid. The former Levante shot-stopper admitted that he had hoped to end his career wearing the Merengue shirt, but the arrival of Thibaut Courtois changed everything.

“I wanted to leave as much as I wanted to die. I remember saying that. These are decisions you don’t make with your heart, but by thinking about football,” Navas explained. “I left Madrid because I wasn’t getting enough playing time, and another team was offering me that. If it had been up to my heart, I would’ve stayed at Real Madrid for the rest of my life.”

Keylor Navas spent five seasons with Real Madrid, making 153 appearances for the club.