Costa Rican star Keylor Navas nominated for Mexican league's Golden Ball

Keylor Navas, the acclaimed Costa Rican goalkeeper and a hero of his nation's 2014 World Cup quarter-final run, has been nominated for the Golden Ball award in Mexican football, specifically in the best goalkeeper category. Navas, who also represented Costa Rica in the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, is recognized as one of the top goalkeepers of the 21st century, with notable stints at Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, and currently Pumas UNAM. Since joining the Mexican club last year, the 39-year-old has become a pivotal player, delivering strong performances, particularly in the Clausura season where he averaged one goal conceded per game and made 4.2 saves per 90 minutes. His contributions were crucial in Pumas' journey to the final, where they were defeated by Cruz Azul. Navas will compete for the award against Nahuel Guzmán of Tigres UANL. The Golden Ball ceremony is set to take place on July 25, and will also feature nominees from the Mexican national team and in women's football.

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The captain of the auriazul was a fundamental piece for the feline squad to finish the regular phase of the tournament as leader, accumulating 36 units (a historic record for the institution), and to dispute the title match, in Ciudad Universitaria.