<p>The legendary goalkeeper Keylor Navas looks likely to continue his illustrious career in Mexico’s Liga MX.</p>



<p>He has earned renown for his remarkable contributions to Real Madrid’s three consecutive UEFA Champions League titles from 2016 to 2018. Now, <a href="https://laopinion.com/2024/05/11/aseguran-que-keylor-navas-interesa-en-la-liga-mx/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">multiple reports</a> suggest that Navas could soon be joining <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/major-clubs-missing-at-2025-club-world-cup-in-usa/">Club Leon</a>, the 2023 CONCACAF Champions League winners.</p>



<p>Navas began his professional career in 2005 with Costa Rican side Deportivo Saprissa. There, he won five domestic titles and a CONCACAF Champions League title, notably defeating Pumas UNAM in Mexico City. His impressive performances earned him a move to Europe in 2010, joining Spanish second-division club Albacete Balompié. After two seasons, and following the club’s relegation, Navas transferred to La Liga side Levante.</p>



<p>At Levante, Navas quickly established himself as one of the top goalkeepers in Spain. His stellar performances earned him a nomination for the 2013 Goalkeeper of the Year, alongside prominent names like Thibaut Courtois and Willy Caballero. He won the award in 2014, cementing his reputation as an elite goalkeeper.</p>



<h2>How Navas became superstar</h2>



<p>Navas’ breakout year in 2014 saw him shine at the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/world-cup-tv-schedule/">World Cup</a>, leading <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/copa-america/navas-retires-from-costa-rica-will-he-play-in-copa-america/">Costa Rica</a> to an unexpected quarter-final appearance. His heroics caught the attention of Real Madrid, who signed him shortly after the tournament. Despite initial attempts by the club to replace him with Manchester United’s David de Gea, Navas secured his position as the first-choice goalkeeper under Rafa Benítez and later Zinedine Zidane.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="800" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/06/16041513/imago0034869743h-1200x800-1200x800.webp" alt="" class="wp-image-509869" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></div><figcaption>Navas enjoyed huge success during his time with Real Madrid</figcaption></figure>



<p>During his time in Madrid, Navas played a crucial role in the club’s success, winning three consecutive Champions League titles. He also became the first Costa Rican to win the prestigious trophy. His performances earned him the best goalkeeper award in the 2018 Champions League as <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/real-madrid-tv-schedule/">Real Madrid</a> triumphed over Liverpool.</p>



<p>In 2019, Navas moved to <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/psg-tv-schedule/">Paris Saint-Germain</a>, where he continued to showcase his talents. Over his tenure at PSG, he added three Ligue 1 titles to his collection. However, the arrival of Gianluigi Donnarumma relegated him to a backup role. In 2023, Navas was loaned to Nottingham Forest in the Premier League, where he contributed significantly to their campaign.</p>



<h2>New challenge in Mexico?</h2>



<p>At 37, Navas announced his departure from PSG, signaling the end of his 14-year European career. As a free agent, he is now reportedly <a href="https://www.informador.mx/deportes/Liga-MX-Keylor-Navas-podria-llegar-a-este-equipo-20240528-0180.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">close to signing with Club Leon</a> in Mexico. </p>



<p>If the transfer materializes, he will replace Rodolfo Cota, the club’s current first-choice goalkeeper. The Costa Rican would join forces with Mexican superstar Andres Guardado if the deal goes through. Guardado used to be his opponent in Spain, when the two played together at Real Betis, Valencia, and Deportivo La Coruña.</p>



<p>This move could significantly bolster Leon’s squad, which had a disappointing 2024 Clausura campaign, finishing eleventh in the league and missing the playoffs. The team’s 2024 Clausura campaign was lackluster; they won seven of seventeen games and finished in tenth place, meaning they did not advance to the play-in round for postseason playoff participation.</p>



<p>Photo credits: IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire : IMAGO / Gribaudi/ImagePhoto</p>


Navas to continue career in Liga MX after international retirement

The legendary Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas looks likely to continue his illustrious career in Liga MX

Navas to continue career in Liga MX after international retirement -

<p>The field is now set for the Liga MX playoffs schedule!  </p>



<p>After <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/liga-mx-schedule-adopts-new-playoffs-structure-20231126-WST-472800.html">a new play-in round</a> determined the final two clubs – San Luis and León – the familiar eight-team, two-legged playoff bracket returns as the Apertura 2023 is set to crown a champion.</p>



<p>The Mexican first tier expanded the playoffs, or  “Liguilla” as it’s sometimes known, and this tournament is the first to use the new format. The top six sides after the 17-game round robin automatically qualified. Places seven through ten, however, contested the play-in round. Atlético San Luis and Club León bested Santos Laguna and Mazatlán to earn the final two spots. It worked out that San Luis and León ended up with the same seeds they would have occupied under the old format.</p>



<h3>Liga MX 2023 Playoff Clubs</h3>



<p>The clubs who qualified for this fall’s playoffs, in order of seeding, are as follows:</p>



<ol><li><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/club-america-tv-schedule/">Club América</a></li><li><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/monterrey-tv-schedule-for-us-viewers">Monterrey</a></li><li><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/tigres-tv-schedule-for-us-viewers">Tigres UANL</a></li><li><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/pumas-unam-tv-schedule-watch-universitarios-games" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pumas UNAM</a></li><li><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/guadalajara-tv-schedule/">Chivas</a></li><li>Puebla</li><li>San Luis</li><li><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/club-leon-tv-schedule">León</a></li></ol>



<p>Each round’s matchups are contested over a two-leg, aggregate series, with the higher seed hosting the second game. </p>



<p>Mexico’s domestic league season is split into two tournaments per calendar year. But the opening, or Apertura, portion starts in late summer. In effect, this makes the overall schedule similar to most European leagues. The closing, aka Clausura, season will kick off in January 2024. </p>



<p>The Apertura 2023 and Clausura 2024 tournament winners will face off in the Campeón de Campeones super cup game next Summer. The winner of that then goes on to the Campeones Cup, a match against the previous MLS Cup winner. </p>



<p>Last season, Pachuca won the Apertura, with Tigres capturing the Clausura. There will be no repeat for <em>Los Tuzos</em>, however, as they just missed out on making the 2023 play-in round, losing a tiebreaker for tenth place via goal difference.</p>



<p>Tigres won the 2023 Campeón de Campeones, and defeated LAFC of MLS in the ensuing Campeones Cup this past summer.</p>



<h2>Liga MX Schedule Bracket</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><a href="http://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/12/16052339/LMX_Bracket_Apertura2023.pdf"><div><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1159" src="https://media.worldsoccertalk.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/12/16052339/LMX_Bracket_Apertura2023-1500x1159.webp" alt="Liga MX Bracket" class="wp-image-474663" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px"></figure></div></a></figure>



<p>Fans who want to keep track of the 2023 Liga MX playoffs can <a href="http://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/11/16052641/LMX_Bracket_Apertura2023.pdf">d</a><a href="http://images.futbolsites.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/12/16052339/LMX_Bracket_Apertura2023.pdf">ownload their own FREE printable bracket here</a> or click the image above.</p>



<p>You can fill in the results from each leg, all the way through to the final.</p>



<p>América/León, Pumas/Chivas, Monterrey/San Luis, and Tigres/Puebla were the four quarterfinal matchups. América, San Luis, Tigres, and Pumas advanced to the semifinals.</p>



<p>Who will take home the trophy? Will it be the giants América or Chivas? Can past champions Monterrey, Tigres, Pumas, Puebla, or León add another piece of silverware to the trophy case? Or will San Luis take home their first title (in their modern form)? </p>



<p>Indeed, everything is up for grabs as the season comes to what should be an exciting conclusion. Make sure you don’t miss a match with the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/liga-mx-tv-schedule/">Liga MX TV schedule</a>, which will be updated throughout the competition as soon as the TV and streaming details are revealed.</p>


Download the Liga MX schedule bracket for playoffs

Get all the details on the 2023 Liga MX Apertura playoff schedule, and download a free bracket to track the action!

Download the Liga MX schedule bracket for playoffs - World Soccer Talk

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