De Gea Motivates Me – Keylor Navas

Real Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas says he is motivated by persistent rumours linking either Manchester United’s David De Gea or Chelsea’s Thibaut Courtois with a move to the Bernabeu in the summer.

Spain No. 1 and former Atletico Madrid keeper De Gea, 26, is a long-time target of Madrid president Florentino Perez, with a deadline-day move famously breaking down in summer 2015.

Courtois, 24, is another with experience playing at Atletico, and the Belgium international is regularly linked with a return to the Spanish capital one day, with local reports claiming recently that he expected an offer from Madrid this summer.

Speaking on radio show “El Larguero,” the 30-year-old Costa Rica international said that such speculation was a reality of life at Madrid, and could be used as an extra motivating factor.

“I am very clear about this,” Navas said. “They always bring the best players in the world here [to Madrid]. That motivates me as it means that I am here among the best. I know there are many things out of my control, but I will fight hard for the things that I can control.

“I want to be here for many years. I am relaxed about it all. I would love to retire here at Madrid. To be here is a blessing, a privilege and a responsibility.”

Navas was not keen to talk too much about the day he almost joined United in a swap deal with De Gea, but said that it had all worked out pretty well with Madrid winning the Champions League at the end of that season.

“I have already spoken enough about that,” he said. “The only thing I remember is I told my wife that what God wants to happen will happen, and I am not going to worry about anything. Now I am fulfilling my dream of playing at the best club in the world, training every day at Valdebebas … It was an incredible year, and we won the Champions League. I could not ask for more from my life.”

Since returning from a foot operation last autumn Navas’ form has been more inconsistent, with some high-profile mistakes including an error in Madrid’s 2-1 La Liga defeat at Sevilla in mid-January.

“I am very happy with how I’m playing,” he said when asked about his current form. “I am training very hard, with a happy heart and strong mind, very motivated to play. I feel super well.”