BARCELONA: Real Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas was reduced to tears after being left waiting at the airport ready to join Manchester United when the move fell through on transfer deadline day.
The Costa Rican was to be the makeweight in a deal between Manchester United and Real that would have seen David De Gea return to Spain.
But it collapsed because of not being officially registered before the close of the Spanish transfer window on Aug. 31.
“I was waiting at the airport in a private room which was what I was told I had to do,” Navas told Spanish radio.
“It was at a point where every five minutes things changed: that I should go to the airport, that I shouldn’t go. There was nothing clear and I wasn’t relaxed until everything was over.
“When everything passed and I went to my room with my wife, I started to think about what happened, I just cracked up.
“They were moments that I hope will not happen again because they were not good.
“I cried with my wife and decided that I needed to sort it out so I went to speak with the president (Florentino Perez).”
Following the breakdown in the deal, De Gea signed a new contract for United while Navas, given the backing of the Madrid club, has gone on to make a record-breaking start to the season for Real and is yet to concede a goal after five games.
He has already bettered the previous best start by a Real keeper when Miguel Angel kept four clean sheets at the start of the 1975-76 season.
There were also four at the start of the 1957-58 campaign but then two keepers, Rogelio Dominguez and Juanito Alonso, were used.
“I never wanted to leave Madrid. Since I arrived it was my dream to be here,” Navas added.
“At the same time I had the fact that I was not able to play three consecutive games and that was a problem.”
He aims to extend his record run against Athletic Bilbao in La Liga on Wednesday with Real on 10 points, two behind unbeaten leaders Barcelona, who face Celta Vigo.
Real’s Navas reduced to tears over collapsed United deal
Real’s Navas reduced to tears over collapsed United deal
Top Saudi teams set for ESL Saudi Challenge 2026 finals
- Leading esports teams feature in competition
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s leading esports teams will go head-to-head later this week as the ESL Saudi Challenge 2026 reaches its decisive stages, underlining the Kingdom’s growing ambition to develop local talent and strengthen its professional gaming ecosystem.
Organized by ESL FACEIT Group, the tournament is designed to provide Saudi players with a clear pathway into elite-level competition while reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s position as a global hub for gaming and esports.
The online phase of the Overwatch 2 competition took place on Jan. 23-24, with the action set to culminate in a live LAN final on Jan. 30 at EFG Studios in Riyadh.
The competition features a total prize pool of $20,000, offering a significant incentive for emerging Saudi esports talent and reflecting the rising professionalism of the Kingdom’s national scene.
The lineup for the second stage has now been confirmed, blending established names with ambitious newcomers. Defending champions Twisted Minds return to defend their title against Kurohana, Newgens, and Lunar Crew, who secured their places through the qualification rounds. With only three teams progressing to the finals, the stakes remain high on the national stage.
Franck Guignery, senior vice president and managing director for the Middle East and Africa at EFG, said: “The ESL Saudi Challenge represents an important milestone in our ongoing commitment to the Saudi esports community.
“Through this competition we aim to empower Saudi players to refine their skills and demonstrate their potential within a high-stakes, professional environment, while contributing meaningfully to the development of a sustainable ecosystem that enables local talent to progress from national competition to global stages.”
The ESL Saudi Challenge aligns with the objectives of Saudi Arabia’s National Gaming and Esports Strategy, supporting talent development and the long-term growth of the Kingdom’s gaming and esports sector.
Positioned as a Saudi-focused competitive platform, the tournament forms part of EFG’s long-term approach to reinforcing professional standards, enabling talent progression, and fostering community-driven competition.
Through initiatives such as the ESL Saudi Challenge, EFG aims to ensure that Saudi esports talent is equipped to compete successfully not only at home, but also on regional and international stages.
