Interview No holds barred in chat with MARCA

He may be one of the most famous football players in the world, but Keylor Navas doesn't act like it and comes across as a humble and simple person, one who discussed his life and his career with MARCA in his native Costa Rica.

From how he learned at four years of age that he wanted to be a goalkeeper to his lifelong dream of playing for Real Madrid, the goalkeeper opened up on what makes him tick.

Pre-season begins in a few days. Do you look back and enjoy the LaLiga and Champions League titles or are you already thinking to the future?

"We really enjoyed the Champions League win, but it's now time for a pre-season in which we'll have to work to the maximum. At Real Madrid you always have to think about winning everything possible, from LaLiga to the Champions League to the Copa del Rey. We want it all and I hope that at the end of the season we can be as happy as we are now."

How motivated will you be as you start the season?

"I am very happy and have a lot of motivation. I already go out to run and to work because I cannot be sitting still. This year and I am very happy to be able to take part in pre-season, something I didn't have the chance to do last year. It's very important. [Missing pre-season] cost me quite a lot last year so all I ask to God is for health. I want to arrive to the new season in optimal condition."

You suffered a lot last season?

"Yes, but above all because of the injury. The injury I had was complicated and it affected me a bit. Then there were a lot of factors that I had to fight against, but I take away all of the good that happened at the end. The final three months were very good and that's what I think about."

How did you overcome all of the criticism and those tough moments?

"I am very calm, have a lot of faith in God and am willing to work. You need to strengthen yourself always. It is inevitable that people will always talk about me and in those moments I held on to God and my family, who are always there through the good times and the bad. I tried to train well and improve as much as possible. I told myself that I had to keep enjoying myself because when you stop enjoying things it's because you're feeling bad. I thought a lot about the fact that I didn't have to prove myself to anyone. From there I started to feel better and physically I started to feel at my best, at 100 percent, and that told. That brought me a lot of peace to keep working hard at the highest level."

Despite the good performances, the rumours don't stop, regarding David de Gea, Gianluigi Donnarumma and others. What do you think when you see these names in the press?

"The truth is that I'm very calm. I focus on what I can do, which is to work, to improve and to try to win the starting spot against whichever colleagues I have. I only think about working and winning titles, but I'm calm and try to enjoy things day by day. There is no need to worry about the future because God knows where we'll all be. I'm very calm and am enjoying my holiday, my country and my family. I will always have time to think about what comes next, but for now I have a lot of peace of mind. Later on, I will work to strengthen myself as I have always done until now. I have two incredible teammates and I always respect them, but I work to play of course. I will always fight to the death against whoever I have to in a fair fight. I will never ask to be gifted anything because I have never asked and I have also never needed to."

What does Zinedine Zidane mean to you?

"I am very grateful to Zidane and I always will be. He has always given me a lot of confidence and in the not-so-good moments he has been there. Everything that happened this year and the year before I owe to him and I'm extremely grateful. There aren't words to express my gratitude for what he has done. When you're in a complicated situation it is very important that the coach gives you confidence and tells you to remain calm and that we're pressing ahead and that he is with you to the death."

What did he say to you at the end of the season?

"Zidane is a very open person and I speak with him a lot. He is not the kind of person you have to make an appointment with in his office. We have a flowing conversation and at the end of the season he was very happy that I'd returned to my best. He was the one who gave me that confidence and I felt I had to repay it. At the end he told me to relax, that I'd finished [the season] well and to enjoy my holiday."

Your teammates also stand by you.

"It's true. We have a very good dressing room. All of the teammates have always supported each other. We felt that when one player isn't doing well that it's a problem of everyone. Nobody was trying to save their own skin this season. Everyone has always thought about the team. My teammates have helped me a lot this year, it's true. They are special people and have good hearts, despite being stars who everyone sees on TV. Many people don't know them, but I have had the opportunity to know the good and human side of these players and I am thankful for all of them."

How difficult can Zidane be?

"Very difficult, to be honest. I can't imagine what you'd have to do for him to give you an 11 [out of 10]."

Have you spoken with Cristiano Ronaldo to see what is going on and to tell him to stay?

"No, I haven't called him. I don't get involved in these things. Obviously I always want him to be my teammate as a player who does what he does can't go. I hope he doesn't go and that he's with us for many years."

What have you done with your two Champions League medals?

"I have them in my house, very carefully guarded. They are two very nice medals, which fill you with memories when you see them."

After three years at Real Madrid are you more of a Real Madrid fan than you were a fan of previous teams?

"I have always given everything in every team I have been in, but three years at Real Madrid build a feeling. I have always been a Real Madrid fan, but from Costa Rica, which isn't the same. I used to watch the team from TV and now I feel all of this passion and it's impressive."

Would you like to retire at Real Madrid?

"It would be difficult, but nothing is impossible. My wish is to keep enjoying all of this and I hope I could retire at Real Madrid. That would be a dream for me."