Keylor Navas, 27, started his career with Costa Rican minnows Saprissa in 2005. After a promising start to his career, La Liga's Levante decided to take a chance on the young goalkeeper in 2012. After appearing as a back-up keeper for his first season in Spanish football, Navas finally made the his big breakthough last season. The rest is history.
Keylor Navas didn't just breakthrough onto the La Liga scene, he erupted. Finishing the season as the second best goalkeeper in Spain, only behind Thibaut Courtois. Unlike Courtois, Keylor Navas is just 6ft tall, he isn't the biggest of figures between the posts, but that hasn't seem to have affected him in the slightest. He's known for his last-gasp reflex saves, and his ability to anticipate danger in and around his box. Navas is a bold character in his area too, a leader from the back. Levante's defence was one of the strongest in the league last season, often frustrating the very top sides to tough matches - Navas was a big part of this.
Keylor Navas' finest match? Levante - Barcelona. Navas single-handedly earned his side a valuable point, with a number of simply incredible stops. Two of which denying the great Lionel Messi. Navas stopped Messi's first drive towards goal and anticipated the Argentinian following up so was quickly back up on his feet diving back towards his goal line to deny him again. It was a truly magical moment, which outlined Navas' brilliant characteristics as one of the most talented up-and-coming goalkeepers in Spain.
After impressing domestically for Levante, it was no suprise when Costa Rica called upon Keylor Navas' services for their World Cup squad. Placed in a group among Italy, England and Uruguay, it seemed highly unlikely that Costa Rica would even pick up a point, let alone qualify.
Costa Rica qualified for the knock-out stages in unbeatable form, finishing top of their group with 7 points. Keylor Navas conceded just one goal during the process - a penalty from Edinson Cavani. Making high profile saves against Uruguay, Italy and England along the way. Costa Rica played Greece in their Last 16 match, a fiercely contested match which ended with Costa Rica having to play with 10 men for an hour of football. Keylor Navas was placed under extreme pressure during the second half of the match. Greece forced Costa Rica back inside their own half for the remaining 20 minutes, with the shots raining down on Navas. Unfortunately, Greece were allowed one chance too many. In the 91st minute Keylor Navas could only parry Gekas' shot into the path of Papastathopoulos, who fired home. Navas didn't crumble after this though. Instead he was forced into a world class save just minutes later. Kostas Mitroglou blasted a shot goalwards which seemed goal bound but for Navas' fine intervention, denying the Greek's again.
The match continued into penalty kicks, with Costa Rica converting five out of their five penalties. The pressure was on Navas, as Gekas stepped up for Greece's fourth penalty, Navas knew that if he saved it Costa Rica were through. And that's exactly what he did. Diving acrobatically to his right to deny a fairly well struck penalty from the veteran. Costa Rica had done it, they were through to the Quarter-Final of the World Cup - for the first time in their history!
And so naturally, Keylor Navas' reputation has grown rather dramatically throughout the World Cup. Atletico Madrid, Arsenal and Liverpool are just a few of the high-profiled clubs linked with a possible move for Navas this summer. It seems highly unlikely that he'll remain at Levante next season, with a reported £6.5m release clause inserted into his current contract.
It's going to be a battle to sign The Utlimate Stopper.