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Today — 21 March 2026Main stream

Keylor Navas stays with Pumas UNAM for one more year at 39

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Former Real Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas reached an agreement to extend his contract for another year with Pumas UNAM in the Mexican first division on Friday.

Navas turns 40 this year and his contract with the Mexico City-based club was set to end in June.

“There were three very quick talks, where there was a club and a player who really wanted to continue, so it was more about prioritizing contracts and then signing, which is what gives us peace of mind," Navas said at a press conference.

Pumas, one the four most popular teams in Mexico, is trying to win its first league title since the 2011 Clausura. In the current tournament, the team ranks in fifth place after 11 of the 17 regular season rounds.

“My family is doing well, ‘Efra’ (the coach) and I are doing well, it’s an incredible group to work with," the Costa Rican goalkeeper added.

Pumas did not disclose the financial terms of the contract. The extension is for one year with an option for another one.

“Big projects don’t happen overnight. I’ve been involved in some myself, and I know what it takes,” the goalkeeper said. “You always dream of being a champion, and hopefully we can give it to the fans, who deserve it.”

Navas made his professional debut with Saprissa in Costa Rica in 2005 and began his European career four years later at Albacete. He moved to Levante and signed with Real Madrid in 2014. At Real Madrid, Navas won a league title and a Super Cup, as well as three Champions Leagues. He also featured in three World Cups for Costa Rica.

He played four seasons in a successful first stint at PSG, helping the club secure two French league titles.

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Yesterday — 20 March 2026Main stream

At 40, Ochoa is back in Mexico’s plans as Aguirre also adds Fidalgo for World Cup warm-ups

MEXICO CITY (AP) — The return of veteran goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa and the first call-up of midfielder Álvaro Fidalgo are the highlights of the 26-man roster announced on Thursday by coach Javier Aguirre to face Portugal and Belgium in warm-up matches for the World Cup.

The Mexicans will host the Portuguese on March 28 in the reopening of Azteca stadium and three days later they will face Belgium at Soldier Field in Chicago.

The 40-year-old Ochoa had not been called up since last year’s Gold Cup, where he was a substitute throughout the tournament behind Luis Malagón, who ruptured his Achilles tendon last week and will miss the World Cup.

Ochoa, who is seeking his sixth World Cup, has not started since November 2014, when El Tri lost 2-0 to Honduras.

Fidalgo, who was born in Spain, received his Mexican citizenship earlier this year.

The 28-year-old midfielder, who was key in helping Club América win three consecutive championships, has been a regular starter for Real Betis since signing with that club early last month.

Aguirre also called up 20-year-old midfielder Obed Vargas, who signed with Atlético Madrid last month.

Fidalgo and Vargas will help Aguirre cover absences due to injury to Marcel Ruiz, who tore his ACL, and Edson Álvarez, who had ankle surgery earlier this year.

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

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