Liga MX-bound Champions League winner set to relive early career highlight
Pumas are poised to complete the signing of a CONCACAF goalkeeping legend - a player who was a Champions’ Cup final opponent two decades ago.
After forcing his exit from Argentine side Newell’s Old Boys, Costa Rican goalkeeper Keylor Navas is returning to the CONCACAF region to join Pumas. The Estadio Olímpico Universitario holds a special place in Navas’ memory, as it was the site of one of the earliest milestones in his career.
Back in 2005, Pumas reached the final of the CONCACAF Champions’ Cup, facing off against Costa Rican powerhouse Saprissa, then managed by the legendary Hernán Medford. Saprissa had earned their spot in the final after eliminating Miguel Herrera’s Monterrey.
A Champions’ Cup winner at Pumas’ expense
In the first leg, Saprissa took the lead with goals from Christian Bolaños and Gabriel Badilla. In the return leg in Mexico City, Ronald Gómez extended the advantage before Joaquín del Olmo and Leandro Augusto scored for Pumas. Despite the comeback attempt, Saprissa held on to win 3-2 on aggregate, claiming the CONCACAF title and a ticket to the FIFA Club World Cup.
Navas was part of that historic moment for Costa Rican soccer, present at the Estadio Olímpico Universitario - though he served as backup to veteran goalkeeper Francisco Porras.
Navas would go on to win six league titles with Saprissa, then owned by Mexican businessman Jorge Vergara.
Now, 20 years later, Navas returns to Ciudad Universitaria - but this time as a global icon, having won it all with Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain. The 38-year-old is expected to arrive in Mexico in imminently, to undergo medicals and finalize his contract with Pumas.
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