Recently, former Real Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas posted a video on his personal channel recalling his near move to Manchester United in 2015.
In the summer transfer window of 2015, Real Madrid was close to signing Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea, with Navas moving to United as part of the swap deal.Recalling the incident, Navas said: “I was very calm at the time. I was definitely a bit disappointed that Real Madrid had decided to let me go, because playing for Real Madrid had been such a great opportunity in my career. Before leaving for Valdebebas, I prayed with my wife. I said everything would be God’s will, and only He could make the fax machine break down – and that’s exactly what happened (laughs).”
Navas went on: “They did my medical, then told me ‘Go to the airport, there’s a plane to pick you up, but don’t board yet’. It was total chaos. Even Real Madrid’s doctor asked how I could stay so calm amid such a big situation.The Real Madrid staff were on the phone non-stop, then they got a call saying the transfer had collapsed because the fax didn’t go through. They started shouting ‘No, that can’t be’ and calling each other to check.Once everyone calmed down a little, I said ‘Alright, I can leave then’ and went home with my wife.”
“My thought in that moment was ‘Train as normal tomorrow’. The whole thing actually filled me with motivation. I told myself: if I stayed, it was God’s plan, and I would give everything here and be the best I could be.I tried to focus on the positive, with no desire for revenge, rebellion or anger – just to prove with my actions that I was better, as if nothing had happened.”
