Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Keylor Navas has "nothing to prove" after being criticised by supporters of the Costa Rica national team.
Navas was left out of their squad for this month's games against Martinique and Panama, with Costa Rica boss Luis Fernando Suárez saying he was excluded so younger players could be assessed.
But some supporters of the national team have suggested that the Forest stopper does not want to play against smaller teams, despite that already being denied by his manager.
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Now former Costa Rica coach Rónald González has jumped to Navas' aid, saying the goalkeeper at a "higher level than all of us" and that he is only required for important moments.
“Keylor is the goalkeeper of the national team,” he told Tigo Sports, per AM Prensa.
“He only appears in the best moments and the sporting situations that he has always handled must be understood, understood and discussed with him. Everything has to do a lot with the mentality and model of the coach, which is what he wants to do.
“Keylor is only called upon for important moments. He is at a higher level than all of us, especially in big events, big stage that is where he counts the most and he knows very well what his reality is. He is an experienced player and he has nothing to prove.”
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