Keylor Navas joins Costa Rica ahead of the World Cup playoffs

Keylor Navas didn’t play with Costa Rica in the opening matches of the CONCACAF Nations League as he took some days off after a long season with club and country.

The 35-year-old goalkeeper joined the rest of the group on Tuesday for their first training session in Doha, Qatar, where they will face New Zealand on 14 June for a spot at the FIFA World Cup.

There is a lot of pressure on the Paris Saint-Germain player for the playoff game, being one of the best goalkeepers in the world.

Keylor Navas knows the importance of keeping a clean sheet but at the same time he is aware that in soccer whoever scores more goals will end up booking their spot in Qatar in November.

It will be a group effort for Costa Rica

“I have been able to help the national team on occasions, but I have not scored any goals and games are won with goals. Everyone in the team has a role and is important. In my games my teammates have prevented the goal from finding the back of the net and helping me. Others give assists for strikers to score goals and win games,” said Navas during an interview with journalist Yashin Quesada.

Navas has been fundamental for the success of Costa Rica in past competitions, but he is aware that soccer is a team sport and his teammates have made their contributions.

“It is true that at times I have been able to make key saves but in the end that reflects the work from the coaching staff as well so it is not fair to say that the success or failure of a team depends on one player,” added the Costa Rica international.

Navas talked about his future

“I still have two years left on my contract with PSG and we will keep working as always. I took some days off to think about my future and be with my family. Right now my focus is with the national team and after we will see what happens. I trust God and later we will see if I stay with PSG so it is not fair to say that the success or failure of a team depends on one player.”