Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas joins Pumas in Mexico after some advice from Ramos and Herrera
The Costa Rica goalkeeper called his ex-Madrid teammate Sergio Ramos, as well as Costa Rica coach Miguel Herrera, before he eventually agreed to join Pumas in the top-tier Liga MX on a reported one-year contract. The move follows a six-month stint in Argentina with Newell's Old Boys.
The 38-year-old Navas was introduced on Thursday as the Mexican side revamps its roster to try to end a 14-year spell without winning a league title.
'I'm here eager to give my all, to push myself, and to be on the pitch playing at my best,' Navas said. 'I have the mentality to make history, to be able to win a title. I believe we can achieve those goals by working with humility.'
No details were given but Newell's Old Boys said it will receive $2 million as part of the deal.
Ramos on Mexico
Navas and Ramos played together for five seasons with Madrid, winning three Champions League titles. The pair also joined forces at Paris Saint-Germain where they were part of the team that won the Ligue 1 title in 2022.
The 39-year-old Ramos signed with Mexican team Monterrey earlier this year.
'Sergio told me a little about his experience in Mexico. I know James (Rodriguez) is also here and playing at a high level,' Navas said at a press conference. 'Liga MX is growing and is very competitive, with a very good infrastructure, and I thought I'd come to a club where we can compete for titles.'
James Rodriguez, who played with Navas and Ramos for four seasons with Madrid, also plays in Mexico with Leon.
Pumas had already bought Wales midfielder Aaron Ramsey, Colombian left back Alvaro Angulo and Ecuador midfielder Pedro Vite.
Help from Herrera
Navas also called Herrera, who had coached six first division teams in Mexico before he was hired as coach of the Costa Rica men's national team as it attempts to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
'I spoke with Miguel because he knows the league and the club well, and he told me I should sign without a doubt,' Navas said. 'I'm joining a big club, and having him in the national team helps you make these decisions.'
Navas also made the decision to move closer to Central America because his national team has World Cup qualifying games, starting in September, with 'Los Ticos' in Group C with Honduras, Haiti and Nicaragua.
___
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
34 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Real Madrid new signing will arrive in Spain this weekend
According to a recent update from journalist Uriel Lugt, Argentine wonderkid Franco Mastantuono is set to travel to Spain in the upcoming weekend to begin his highly anticipated chapter with Real Madrid. The 17-year-old could land in Madrid as early as Friday, August 1, or over the weekend, with plans to be fully settled by Monday, August 4. It is to be noted that Mastantuono's transfer became official in June when Real Madrid triggered his €63.2 million release clause at River Plate, making him the most expensive sale in the Argentine club's history. The six-year contract he signed will come into effect on August 14, 2025, which coincides with his 18th birthday. Real Madrid's plan with Mastantuono Before moving to Spain, Mastantuono represented River Plate one last time at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. Franco Mastantuono will travel to Madrid next weekend. (Photo by) Once he arrives in Madrid, Mastantuono is expected to go through a brief adaptation period. While the excitement around his arrival is immense, Real Madrid will take a cautious and legally sound approach to his registration, just as they did with previous South American stars like Vinicius Jr., Rodrygo, and Endrick. Due to FIFA regulations, Mastantuono cannot officially sign or train with the club until he turns 18. Even though he holds an Italian passport and won't take up a non-EU spot in the squad, the club is not taking any risks. Until his birthday on August 14, the teenager will not be allowed to use the Valdebebas training facilities. In the meantime, Real Madrid have planned a period of active rest for him before he settles in Madrid at the end of July. Once eligible, Mastantuono will begin training with the first team, marking the next step in what many believe will be a spectacular career at the top of European football.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Chloe Kelly thanks her doubters after firing England to Euro 2025 glory
Chloe Kelly has thanked everyone that wrote her off for giving her the fuel to fire England to European glory. Kelly was England's hero on Sunday night, scoring the winning penalty as they beat Spain to win Euro 2025. It capped off a remarkable six months for the winger, who forced through a move away from Manchester City to Arsenal in January due to a lack of game time. Kelly has since admitted she was going through some 'dark moments', but she has turned her year around. The winger won the Women's Champions League with Arsenal and now has added European success with England to that. Tough times don't last, just around the corner was a Champions League final. I won that and now won a Euros final Chloe Kelly 'There were a lot of tears at full-time, especially when I saw my family, because they were the people that come me through those dark moments,' said Kelly. 'I am so grateful to be out at the back end, but if that's a story to tell someone who maybe experiences something the same, then tough times don't last and just around the corner was a Champions League final. I won that and now a Euros final, I've won that. 'So, thank you to everyone that wrote me off, I'm grateful.' Kelly has also thanked England head coach Sarina Wiegman for helping her turn her season around. Wiegman kept faith in Kelly during her 'dark moments' and the winger stressed how pivotal she was to her success. 'She is bloody amazing,' said Kelly. 'She is an incredible women. What she has done for this country, we should all be so grateful for. 'What she has done for me, individually, she gave me hope, when I probably didn't have any. She gave me an opportunity to represent my country again. I knew that I had to get game time, because representing England is never a given. 'But what she has done for the women's game, not just in England, she has taken it to a whole other level. 'The work doesn't go unnoticed from the staff that are behind her, they are incredible. people and I am so grateful to have worked with such amazing staff members.'
San Francisco Chronicle
2 hours ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Summer McIntosh goes for her second gold on Day 2 at the swimming world championships
SINGAPORE (AP) — It's Day 2 at the swimming world championships in Singapore. That means it's a chance for Summer McIntosh to add her second gold medal after winning the 400 freestyle on the opening day. The 18-year-old Canadian is trying for five individual golds across the eight-day event in Singapore. On Monday she's a strong favorite to get her second gold, this time in the 200-meter individual medley. She set the world record of 2 minutes, 05.70 seconds at the Canadian trials a few months ago. McIntosh is expected to be challenged by American Alex Walsh. Also in the field is 12-year-old Chinese Yu Zidi, whose age and astounding times are the talk of global swimming. The women's 100 butterfly is another eye-catching race. American Gretchen Walsh — Alex's older sister — is the favorite and set the world record of 54.60 earlier this year. Roos Vanotterdijk of Belgium and Australia's Alexandria Perkins will push Walsh. Two more finals are set. Qin Haiyang of China and Nicolo Marinenghi of Italy are the favorites in the 100 breaststroke. The Italian is the Olympian champion from Paris, and Qin won this event two years ago at the worlds in Fukuoka, Japan. The 50 fly final is wide open, but the quickest qualifiers were Maxime Grousset of France and Noe Ponti of Switzerland. There are also three semifinals Monday — the men's 100 backstroke, the men's 200 free, and the women's 100 backstroke. ___
