March last year and a large mustachioed man in a Levante tracksuit has taken up a place in Camp Nou’s press box. Coaches do not normally sit in the press box, but Pepe Martinez Puig, Levante’s goalkeeping coach, wanted a better view than the pitch level dugouts afford.
Soon after, he cursed when a penalty was awarded to Barcelona, then smiled when it was saved.
Puig began to talk about Levante’s rookie goalkeeper Keylor Navas, a Costa Rican making only his third Primera Liga appearance.
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“I work with him every day, he wasn’t nervous about tonight,” he said. “He’s playing because [Gutavo] Munua [the usual No 1 goalkeeper] won’t sign a new contract.”
At the other end, Barcelona’s Victor Valdes was playing. He, too, had refused to sign a new contract – different rules for different coaches.
“I just hope that he doesn’t concede four or five because it will damage his confidence,” said Puig.
Navas, the Costa Rican national keeper, gave him his wish, performing exceptionally well.
“Barcelona are fantastic, but not quite so fantastic without Messi,” said Puig. “I told that to my goalkeeper out there.”
It was 0-0 after half an hour, 0-0 at half-time, when Puig began to talk about his own career.
“I played for Espanyol, Levante and Castellon,” he said. “I’ve been at Levante for 11 years and started when we were in the second division. It’s a great club, but it hasn’t always been easy. We were near to closing a few years ago and I didn’t get paid for seven months.
“Thankfully, my wife was working and so her money could support our family. I got paid in the end and we were promoted.”
The second half started. It was still 0-0 after an hour, with Navas impressive. Seeking a breakthrough, Barca brought on Xavi and Pedro and Alexis Sanchez. It did not come.
“It’s still almost impossible not to concede,” said Puig after 70 minutes.
Given that Barca had scored in each of their past 49 home games (a league record), he had reason to be pessimistic. But Navas continued to hold out, saving everything that came his way and with 10 minutes to play it was still 0-0.
“It’s still difficult,” said Puig, “but we’re working really hard. A point here would be incredible.”
The dream nearly came true, until the 83rd minute when Sanchez found Cesc Fabregas in the area and the Catalan shot inside the far post of Navas’s goal. Levante were floored – all that work for nothing.
Football is the glory game, but the reality for most is disappointment. Levante had a last-minute corner. Navas went up for it. There was no fairy tale ending. There seldom is in football.
“Go and speak to Navas,” Puig said after the final whistle, “he’s a good boy.”
The mixed zone is deep in the bowels of the Camp Nou. Two or three players from each team come from the dressing room to speak to media, with the area neatly divided between television, radio and newspaper journalists.
Navas was requested and he agreed to appear. Navas had done almost no media in Spain and it was all new to him.
“I wasn’t nervous at all,” said the goalkeeper. “You can’t be when you are a goalkeeper. I just thanked God for giving me the opportunity to play in Camp Nou, and everything went well until the end.”
Navas came across as a humble man.
“A lot of people were watching on television in Costa Rica,” he said, “but my closest family came to Camp Nou to watch the game.
“A year ago I was on loan from a second division team and not playing. It’s an unusual life when you are a No 2 goalkeeper because you always have to be prepared to play, but you don’t play. Few people can relate to that.
“I’m playing now and I want to establish myself as the No 1 at Levante. My aim is to play for one of the big European teams. But thank you for asking to speak to me.”
Navas did indeed establish himself as Costa Rica’s No 1 and played a key part as they reached the World Cup finals, where they have been the surprise of the tournament.
After Costa Rica drew with England on Monday, The National again spoke to Navas. The 27 year old remembered the Camp Nou meeting.
“Things have turned out very well,” he said, smiling and now firmly established as first-choice for club and country.
“We’re creating history for our country and enjoying Brazil. People are surprised by us but we all thought we could qualify from the group as we know how strong our team is.
“When the moment came, though, it was magnificent. We won’t relax for one minute, we’ll give it everything.”
Costa Rican Paulo Wanchope, the national team’s second highest scorer and now a coach, said: “Keylor is a very talented player, doing very well in Spain. In good teams it is nice to have a great keeper and he is one of them – one of the best in the world.
“He is very quick, he’s good on crosses, good feet. He is a complete player and could player anywhere in the world.”
“I want to be better everyday,” said Navas, “be a better person and be a goalkeeper. I’ll keep fighting to realise those dreams.”
Dreams that have already come true in Brazil as he plays in a last-16 game on Sunday, against Greece.
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