Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas announced retirement at age of 37

Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas announced retirement from his International career at 37 years after participating in more than 100 games. He has also played in three World Cups.

Keylor said he is grateful to his teammates and supporters for their support during his career while announcing his retirement news. He said it is a challenging emotion to accept. It is bittersweet.

He announced retirement news in his video on social media. He stated this chapter of his life has ended with the Costa Rican team.

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A post shared by Keylor Navas Gamboa (@keylornavas1)

Keylor Navas has been a goalie for the former Real Madrid and PSG (Paris Saint-Germain) football clubs. His retirement announcement comes days before the Copa America 2024 and 2026 World Cup qualifying competitions begin.

He said this chapter of his life, filled with obstacles, setbacks, and successes, is coming to a conclusion. Goalkeeper Keylor Navas said he departs bearing the name of their beloved Costa Rica, a small nation in the area but a big heart, and announced his retirement.

He also said he has gratitude in his heart, and his eyes are focused forward. He has realized many childhood ambitions and has done so by preserving and fighting with love and determination.

According to Keylor, God granted him the chance to defend Costa Rica’s goal for the first time more than 16 years ago. It was a day he will never forget. Ever since each experience with the national team has been a dream realized.

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A post shared by Keylor Navas Gamboa (@keylornavas1)

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Keylor won three-times Champions League with Real Madrid before signing a contract with PSG in France recently. He competed in the World Cups in Brazil 2014, Russia 2018, and Qatar 2022.

Several footballers have considered him the “best football player” in Costa Rican history. He played 114 games for the national team. He performed a significant role in Costa Rica’s historic win to the World Cup quarterfinals in Brazil in 2014.

When Costa Rica defeated Italy by 1-0, Uruguay by 3-1 and drew with England with 0-0 to win their group. Ricans also drew with Greece by 1-1 in the 16th round, but in the quarterfinals, they faced the Netherlands with a remarkable performance of Keylor. However, his team lost on penalties following a 0-0 draw.