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Keylor Navas, safe hands

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Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Keylor Navas is enjoying a fantastic season in Rouge et Bleu. Join us to take a lok back at his first six months in the French capital!

At a time when football championships are at a standstill, it seems like a good time to look in the rear-view mirror and see what has happened so far this term. For Keylor Navas, that means a look back at his first six months since arriving in the capital last September.

The Costa Rica international, who signed from Real Madrid, did not arrive empty-handed, bringing with him a brilliant CV including three Champions League titles, an army of praise from all those who had worked alongside him, and a professionalism beyond reproach. At the age of 33, the elegant goalkeeper didn't miss the opportunity to have a word for his new fans when he signed: "I'll try to win the hearts of the Parisian fans, whose fervour is renowned throughout Europe."

History has only confirmed the status of the man who burst onto the international scene during his heroic 2014 World Cup. From his first match against Strasbourg in Ligue 1, in which he displayed natural authority, unfailing serenity and made several decisive saves, to his first European nights in Rouge et Bleu, Navas has ticked every box one after the other. "Since signing here, I have felt at home from the first day, as if it's been my home all my life," enthused the custodian after his first match."

And the very first UEFA Champions League match of the season only confirmed how much Navas' heart was now beating red and blue. Against his former Madrid teammates, he was clear: "I want to defend this jersey to the full, that's the most important thing. The past is behind me. I had a great time at Real Madrid, but now I want to start a new chapter in my career here. I want to win titles. With a winning mentality, always."

After a rather calm first leg, it was in the return match, at the Bernabeu, that Navas had the opportunity to prove all his pedigree.

But the match before that, against Lille, had given him the chance to warm up his gloves. The Costa Rican had once again shown off all his skills, making eight saves while keeping a clean sheet (2-0); a stat that set a new personal record since his arrival in Europe in 2010.

At the Bernabeu in November, the demonstration continued. He made ten spectacular saves in a breathtaking performance (a record for a Paris goalkeeper in the Champions League since Opta began analysing the competition in 2003-04), allowing his side to draw 2-2 in Spain.

In the Champions League - a competition that no goalkeeper knows better than he does - the figures also do the Parisian proud: this season he has the second-best save ratio with 80% of saves in 7 matches (83% for Ter Stegen, who has only played 6 matches), but he is the only one to have kept 5 clean sheets since the start of the European campaign.

And the rest of the season has only confirmed what the footballing world already knew: Navas is a world-class 'keeper. Technically, his strengths - on his line, his reflexes - are indisputable. And on the mental level, too, the Costa Rican radiates serenity around him in all circumstances, especially when the heat rises. It's a fantastic influence on his defence, which Thomas Tuchel lauded on PSGTV: "Keylor has this state of mind and energy on the pitch. You can always feel that he's there. It's difficult to always be focused and ready, but if he's played for Real Madrid for several years it's because he can do it. When he's here I'm calmer. He gives a lot of serenity."

The Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper has also shone in Ligue 1. With more than 73% of shots saved, 2.3 shots saved per match and no less than 52% of clean sheets, he is by far the best goalkeeper in the French championship.

Imperial between the posts, powerful in the air, authoritative in the penalty box, the San Isidro native also knew how to blend perfectly into the Parisian squad. "He's a very complete goalkeeper and an extraordinary person. He's a very cheerful person," explained Pablo Sarabia.

Presnel Kimpembe is savouring the pure quality of his 'keeper on the field: "He brought serenity, a lot of serenity, and experience. He speaks when he needs to. And there you have it, in goal, he's just exceptional. When you're a defender and you see your 'keeper save the ball once, twice, three times, but it also gives you confidence. And you know that it's going to be very difficult for your opponent to score and it puts everyone back in the game when sometimes you lose concentration."

An idea shared by his teammate, Angel Di Maria, on PSGTV: "He brings his experience. He's got a great personality that brings the squad together, he pulls everyone in the same direction and I think one of the most important things he brings is everything he's won, the three Champions League triumphs, all his trophies. I think all that is a motivation for the players, because we know that behind us, there's a goalkeeper who can save you at any moment. He's saved us quite a few times already and we want to keep it that way."

What does the man himself think?
"I think the years I've spent in football have helped me mature in many ways, and when I'm in a team, I like to be of service to everyone. I don't like other people to feel that I'm better than them, far from it, because I'm not. For me, we are all on the same level, and I try to help in every way I can. I think I've had some unique moments and I can give advice to a young player. And my other teammates, who have experienced important moments just like me, also need to speak out because we can learn from them. I'm an open-minded person. When someone needs advice, I'm happy to give it and when someone has something to say to me, I accept it with serenity, because I know it will always be to improve myself. I don't think I know everything or that I have won everything. I want to win more, I want to learn more and I want to be better," confided Keylor Navas.

By Ambre Godillon