Keylor Navas, Costa Rica's three-time World Cup goalkeeper, assured on the eve of the duel for the lead in Group A of the Gold Cup against Mexico, that the career of Memo Ochoa, a five-time World Cup player, is worthy of highlighting and at the same time added that there is no rivalry with the Mexican goalkeeper.

In the media address ahead of the duel against Tricolor Navas, he was specific about the subject of the Aztec goalkeeper: I think that is a matter of taste, I have never had the opportunity to talk to Memo about this, we have only taken advantage of the time, talking about important things, it is a matter of taste.”, said the veteran Costa Rican goalkeeper for whom Miguel Herrera fought to return to defend the Costa Rican goal.

Navas insisted that the quality of both goalkeepers is like a kind of high-end car and that each one on their own has always sought to leave a legacy as professionals: “You can put two brands of car, high-end, and both decide on color, design, whatever, it is worth the same, it is what we are worth, we try to make history as best as possible”

“In soccer you can make friends, value and respect, Memo's career is respectable, hopefully they can repeat it many times, Nothing more, in the end, we don't have that, each one decides each car," commented the starting goalkeeper for Costa Rica in the World Cups in Brazil 2014, Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022.

Praise, instead of criticism

Navas built an important career as a starter in several European teams, as did Guillermo Ochoa, which is why the Costa Rican goalkeeper said he does not understand why the criticism has been very strong against the former América goalkeeper.

"Memo is a goalkeeper with an incredible career, he has been in Mexico for many years, he has an incredible hunger, to be there, to keep fighting, we have to value him a lot, respect him as a footballer, he has always given his best for his country, in World Cups he has been incredible, instead of attacking him, he should be respected more."

“We'll have to see how many Memos would come out, it's admirable, a goalkeeper like that is an example for young goalkeepers. I don't know, the coaches are the ones who make the decisions, if he's there, it's because he feels he can contribute, as a goalkeeper it's clear, he tries to fight,” said Navas with knowledge of the facts.

Mexico a good parameter to measure against.

On the other hand, Navas said that the duel against Mexico is a good opportunity to show where they stand in the face of the World Cup qualifiers: “For us it's important, Mexico has always been a power in our area, their players have always been on good teams.”

“The Mexican League has a high level, for us it has always been a parameter to know where we are, tomorrow, as the coach said, we are going to compete, maybe first or second, we want to be first, it's a game to enjoy very seriously, if we want, we must improve, being a strong team,” he concluded.