In an interview with 'AS', Keylor Navas reflects on his career's latest chapters and recalls his time at Real Madrid. He now guards the net for Pumas UNAM in the Mexican championship. "I always dreamt big and envisioned the best things, but God's plans extend beyond what the human mind can grasp," the Costa Rican remarked on his long and successful sporting journey.

During his spell at Levante, he recounts, he received offers, but then-president Quico Catalan rejected them. There was a reason: "When the time came, he told me he had spoken with Florentino, who would pay my release clause, and I would play for Real Madrid if I wanted. At that moment, I forgot everything else and said, 'Yes.' I had two offers from Atletico, one before the end of the 2014 season and another after the World Cup. I was grateful, but the opportunity with Madrid arose, and that's what materialised."

"I have a photo saved from my first day at Madrid's training ground. I arrived very early, changed, and went to speak with Ancelotti. I then took a picture in the lift after seeing myself in the mirror wearing Madrid gear. I immediately sent it to my wife. Meeting all my teammates afterwards was wonderful because they welcomed me humbly. It was a great group on a human level," he admitted.

He addressed the incident involving Vinicius and Gianluca Prestianni during the Benfica-Madrid match: "It's very sad because something like that shouldn't happen to anyone in the world. When it happens to someone you know, you empathise with the pain they might be experiencing. I don't know what the appropriate punishment would be, but something needs to be done. A strong penalty is necessary for individuals who intentionally err. It's not an isolated mistake but an ingrained thought that emerges when one feels attacked. It should be punished to prevent it from happening again."

He played alongside Alvaro Arbeloa: "From the moment I arrived, he took an interest in me, offering help and advice, not just on a sporting level. For a newcomer, that support is crucial, and I have fond memories of him. Destiny is curious; he's now a first-team coach, and I wish him well because I'm very grateful."

Zidane's influence was key during his Madrid spell: "The way he manages groups and the confidence he instils in players is rare. I've had many excellent coaches, but with Zidane, beyond the respect and admiration we had for him, his approach was incredible. We couldn't give less than 200% in training to match that man's conduct. Furthermore, he was tactically astute, thoroughly analysing opponents and providing us with the necessary tools to win."

G. Prestianni

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