The goalkeeper was set to join Manchester United but club errors mean he will remain in La Liga, and his national side have given him a break
Keylor Navas has been given permission by Costa Rica to stay in Spain during the international break to “tend to his situation” at Real Madrid .
The goalkeeper has endured a topsy turvy 72 hours – despite starting the season as the Blancos’ No.1 following Iker Casillas’ sale, he was offered to Manchester United on Monday as part of a deal for David de Gea.
However, incompetence from the two Champions League rivals led to the deal not being completed before the transfer window deadline and both goalkeepers will remain at their current clubs.
Having gone from preparing to leave La Liga for the Premier League to being aware he is rooted to Madrid until at least January, Navas has been allowed to take some time off to gather his thoughts by Costa Rica’s football federation (Fedefutbol).
“Navas will not join up with Costa Rica,” Fedefutbol’s official Twitter account stated on Tuesday. “The federation and head coach Oscar Ramirez will give him space to tend to his situation with Real Madrid.”
Meanwhile Keylor’s father, Freddy Navas, has attacked the Spanish press for the way he believes they vilified his son, but believes Madrid fans are behind him following his penalty-saving performance in Saturday’s 5-0 victory over Real Betis.
“The Spanish media want to have a Spanish goalkeeper at Real Madrid, they can’t accept a Central American player there,” he told Pasion Deportiva . “They know he’s the best, but they can’t accept it.
“Seeing him be cheered by the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday sent shivers down my spine and brought tears to my eyes. He has one of the most difficult tasks at one of the biggest clubs in the world. We are proud of him.
“Keylor tells me he has the support of the dressing room. Marcelo, Cristiano Ronaldo, James Rodriguez… They all love him because he’s quiet and humble.”
Navas, 28, shot to global stardom as Costa Rica’s shot-stopper during the 2014 World Cup, when the little-fancied Central American nation reached the quarter-final stage.
Subsequently, he secured a €10 million move to Real Madrid from Levante – with whom he had become one of the most reliable goalkeepers in La Liga – as competition for club captain Casillas.
Navas remained rooted to the bench for much of 2014-15, featuring 11 times in all competitions, but Casillas’ exit to Porto has led to him becoming Rafa Benitez’s first choice ahead of summer signing Kiko Casilla.
Costa Rica play two friendlies in this international break without Navas: first up is a clash with Brazil on Saturday September 5 in New Jersey, followed by a home tie against Uruguay three days later.