Hard blow for Costa Rica: Keylor Navas to miss Gold Cup

Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas was left out of the Gold Cup because he has not recovered from an injury he suffered with England's Nottingham Forest, the Costa Rican Football Federation said Thursday.

Costa Rica national team doctor Alejandro Ramirez said in a statement that despite medical and player efforts it was not possible for Navas to recover from a muscle tear in his left abductor. "Yesterday (Wednesday) we did an MRI scan to see the state of healing and assess whether the platelet-rich compound had helped.

"We saw that he is recovering very well, but unfortunately it is not enough to be able to participate in this competition, as he will need between three and four weeks for a full recovery," said Ramirez.

With the absence of the former Real Madrid goalkeeper, the Costa Rica national team will have goalkeepers Kevin Chamorro of Saprissa, Alexandre Lezcano of Herediano and Jussef Delgado of Perez Zeledon, all from the local league, for the Gold Cup, which starts on 24th June. This year's tournament will be the sixth consecutive edition in which Navas has not participated.

 

June 15, 2023