Career Timeline of Keylor Navas: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Keylor Navas made an impact.

Keylor Navas is a highly regarded Costa Rican professional footballer. He currently plays as a goalkeeper and captains both Liga MX club Pumas UNAM and the Costa Rica national team. He is considered one of the best goalkeepers of his generation and among the greatest goalkeepers to come from the CONCACAF region, earning widespread recognition for his exceptional skills and contributions to the sport.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2003: FIFA U-17 World Championship

In 2003, Navas was part of the Costa Rica national team that played in the FIFA U-17 World Championship held in Finland.

November 2005: Professional Debut with Saprissa

On November 6, 2005, Keylor Navas made his professional debut with Deportivo Saprissa in a Primera league match against Asociación Deportiva Carmelita.

August 2006: First call up for senior national team

In August 2006, Keylor Navas was called up for the first time to the Costa Rica senior national team to play in a friendly tournament in Europe against Austria and Switzerland.

October 2008: Debut senior cap

On October 11, 2008, Navas debuted with the senior national team in a 4–1 victory against Suriname in the third round of the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification.

2008: Debut for Costa Rica

In 2008, Keylor Navas debuted for Costa Rica's national team, marking the beginning of his international career.

2009: CONCACAF Gold Cup Semi-Finals and Award

In 2009, Keylor Navas and the Costa Rica national team reached the semi-finals of the CONCACAF Gold Cup. He was also named best goalkeeper of the tournament.

2009: Runners-up in UNCAF Nations Cup

In 2009, Navas was a member of the Costa Rica squad that finished as runners-up in the UNCAF Nations Cup.

2009: Named best goalkeeper in CONCACAF Gold Cup

In 2009, Navas was named the best goalkeeper in the CONCACAF Gold Cup as he helped his country reach the semi-finals.

July 2010: Signed with Albacete Balompié

In July 2010, Keylor Navas signed with Albacete Balompié of the Segunda División in Spain.

2010: Move to Albacete

In 2010, Keylor Navas moved to Spanish club Albacete from Saprissa.

2010: 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualification

In 2010, Navas played in the FIFA World Cup Qualification, which qualified the team into the next stage.

2011: Loaned to Levante UD

In 2011, Keylor Navas was loaned to Levante UD for a year, marking his entry into La Liga.

May 2012: La Liga Debut with Levante UD

On May 13, 2012, Keylor Navas made his La Liga debut playing in a 3–0 home win against Athletic Bilbao, confirming the club's first ever qualification for the UEFA Europa League.

2013: First-Choice Goalkeeper for Levante

In 2013, Keylor Navas became the first-choice goalkeeper for Levante.

June 2014: Debut in FIFA World Cup

On June 14, 2014, Navas made his debut in the FIFA World Cup, appearing in a 3–1 group stage win against Uruguay in Fortaleza.

August 2014: Signed with Real Madrid

On August 3, 2014, Real Madrid triggered Keylor Navas' €10 million buyout clause, and he signed a six-year contract with the club.

2014: World Cup Quarter-Finals

In 2014, Keylor Navas helped Costa Rica reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup for the first time.

2014: Joined Real Madrid

In 2014, Keylor Navas joined Real Madrid for €10 million, beginning a successful stint with the club.

August 2015: Failed Transfer to Manchester United

On August 31, 2015, Real Madrid agreed to transfer Keylor Navas to Manchester United in part-exchange for David de Gea, but the deal collapsed due to documents not being submitted on time.

2015: UEFA Champions League

In 2015, Keylor Navas was a regular starter when Real Madrid won the 2015–16 UEFA Champions League. He became the first Costa Rican and Central American ever to play in and win the men's Champions League final and set a new record for Real Madrid by not conceding a single goal in his first eight appearances.

2016: Won La Liga and UEFA Champions League

In 2016, Keylor Navas was the starting goalkeeper when Real Madrid won the 2016–17 La Liga and the 2016–17 UEFA Champions League.

January 2017: 100 La Liga Appearances

On January 29, 2017, Keylor Navas became the first player from Costa Rica to reach 100 La Liga appearances after the 3–0 win at home to Real Sociedad.

2017: 100th Victory for Madrid

In 2017, Keylor Navas made his 100th appearance for Real Madrid and claimed his 100th victory for the team in only 141 appearances. He helped Real Madrid to win their third consecutive and 13th overall Champions League title.

May 2018: Named in the final squad for the 2018 World Cup

In May 2018, Navas was named in the final squad for the 2018 World Cup. He started all three group games, making ten saves and conceding five goals.

2018: FIFA World Cup Appearance

In 2018, Keylor Navas represented Costa Rica at the FIFA World Cup.

January 2019: 150th Appearance for Madrid

On January 9, 2019, Keylor Navas made his 150th appearance in all competitions for Real Madrid in their 3–0 home win against Leganés in the Copa del Rey.

April 2019: 100 La Liga Appearances for Real Madrid

On April 6, 2019, Keylor Navas became the first ever non-Spanish goalkeeper to reach 100 La Liga appearances for Real Madrid.

September 2019: Joined Paris Saint-Germain

In September 2019, Keylor Navas joined Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) on a four-year contract, becoming the first Costa Rican to play for the men's team. He made his Ligue 1 debut 12 days later.

2019: Signed by Paris Saint-Germain

In 2019, Keylor Navas signed with French club Paris Saint-Germain, marking a new chapter in his career.

July 2020: Won Coupe de France and Coupe de la Ligue

In July 2020, Keylor Navas won his 20th career club trophy after beating Saint-Étienne in the Coupe de France final and defeated Lyon 6–5 on penalties in the 2020 Coupe de la Ligue Final.

August 2020: Champions League Final

On August 23, 2020, Keylor Navas started his 4th Champions League final, losing to Bayern Munich 1–0.

January 2021: Won Trophée des Champions

On January 13, 2021, Keylor Navas won the 2020 Trophée des Champions, becoming the CONCACAF player with the most European trophies, surpassing former Rafael Márquez.

April 2021: Ligue 1 Player of the Month and Contract Extension

In April 2021, Keylor Navas was voted Ligue 1 Player of the Month for March, making him the first CONCACAF player to win the award, and signed a contract with PSG until 2024.

November 2022: Named in the final squad for the 2022 World Cup

In November 2022, Navas was named in the final squad for the 2022 World Cup. During the tournament, he conceded seven goals in the first game against Spain, kept a clean sheet in the second game against Japan, and lost 4–2 in the third game against Germany.

2022: FIFA World Cup Appearance

In 2022, Keylor Navas represented Costa Rica at the FIFA World Cup.

January 2023: Loan to Nottingham Forest

On January 31, 2023, Keylor Navas signed for Premier League club Nottingham Forest on loan until the end of the season, following the long-term injury to Dean Henderson.

2023: Champions League squad for the 2023–24 season

Following his return to PSG, Navas was included in the Champions League squad for the 2023–24 season, having rejected a transfer to Saudi club Al Hilal.

March 2024: Last international match

On March 26, 2024, Navas played his last international match in a friendly against Argentina.

May 2024: Departure Announcement from PSG

On May 11, 2024, Keylor Navas announced his departure from PSG at the end of the season.

May 2024: Announced retirement from national team

On May 23, 2024, Navas announced his retirement from the national team.

2024: PSG Contract

On 26 April 2021, Navas signed a contract with PSG until 2024.

January 21, 2025: Joined Newell's Old Boys

On January 21, 2025, Navas joined Newell's Old Boys on a free transfer.

May 2025: Return to international football

In May 2025, Navas announced his return to international football and was subsequently included in Costa Rica's squad for the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup by head coach Miguel Herrera.

July 2025: Signed by Universidad Nacional

On 24 July 2025, Liga MX club Universidad Nacional officially announced the signing of Navas.

July 21, 2025: Departure from Newell's Old Boys

On July 21, 2025, Newell's Old Boys announced Navas's departure from the club, six months after he joined the team, following failed sale negotiations.