Two months ago, Keylor Navas ended his journey with Paris Saint-Germain. Many believed his next step would be to join the growing list of football veterans heading to Saudi Arabia for a lucrative final chapter. Surprisingly, despite previous interest from Al-Hilal, Navas opted for a different path, joining Serie A's Monza. This move sees him significantly reduce his salary to €1.5 million per year, possibly due to the appeal of a new challenge in Italy.
In Italy, the tradition of veteran players thriving is well-established, with Gianluigi Buffon being a notable example. Buffon once praised Navas during his time at Real Madrid and again expressed regret when Navas was sidelined at PSG. Now, Navas has the opportunity to follow in those footsteps by making a significant impact in Serie A. Monza, having conceded 51 goals in 38 games last season, certainly needs his experience.
Navas can draw inspiration from Guillermo Ochoa, who joined Salernitana at 36 and performed admirably despite the team's relegation. Known for his outstanding saves, Navas aims to avoid a similar fate and help Monza achieve better results. His record with the Costa Rica national team—114 caps and 42 clean sheets—demonstrates his enduring quality.
Navas has experience in relegation battles, as seen during his loan spell at Nottingham Forest in 2023. There, he played a crucial role in their survival, making 51 saves in 17 games. Although his stint at PSG ended with him largely on the bench, Navas's skills were never in doubt. His departure from Paris marks a significant change in his career trajectory.
At PSG, Navas won 10 trophies and set the record for the most saves in a single Champions League season by a PSG goalkeeper. Despite his success, he lost his starting spot to Gianluigi Donnarumma, leading to frustration. Former coach Christophe Galtier's rationale for benching Navas was not convincing, and current coach Luis Enrique continued this trend, leaving Navas on the sidelines even when PSG secured the Ligue 1 title early.
Navas's final moments at PSG were marked by the absence of a proper send-off, a stark contrast to the respect he commanded as a key player. Kylian Mbappe, recognizing Navas's contributions, was one of the few to publicly show appreciation.
Having been sidelined by Courtois at Real Madrid and Donnarumma at PSG, Navas's journey has been marked by unfortunate timing and stiff competition. Nevertheless, his 22 major trophies attest to his quality. At Monza, he has the chance to once again prove his worth.
Navas's career began in earnest at 25 when he moved to Levante, where he was named La Liga's best goalkeeper. His €10 million move to Real Madrid saw him fill the void left by Iker Casillas, contributing to three consecutive Champions League titles. At PSG, despite missing out on Champions League glory, his record of 114 appearances and 52 clean sheets was impressive.
"Wherever I play, I try to repay the trust shown in me," Navas said. With his market value now at €1.5 million, can he help Monza achieve their goals? The football world will be watching to see if this "bargain" goalkeeper can once again prove his doubters wrong and make a significant impact in Serie A.
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