Real Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas came up big in the capital club’s final La Liga game of the season, pulling off some huge saves to hold off Malaga and ensure that the league trophy would make its way to the Estadio Bernabeu for the first time since 2012. You’d forgive the Costa Rican for joining his teammates in frenzied celebration post-game, but Navas had something else to do first: shave his head.
In and Instagram post revealing his freshly-shaved head, Navas said that “this title is dedicated to my family, and to all of the children that undergo strong treatments, and whose hair falls out. Much strength to the families, and much faith that God does not abandon us.” He also echoed those sentiments upon meeting with the media after the dressing room celebrations. Navas’s altruistic haircut was also on full display as the club celebrated in the capital late into Sunday night, although the goalie did eventually don a hat to combat the chill hitting his freshly-saved head.
Real Madrid won La Liga partly due to effective rotations, good tactics that played to the team’s strengths, and Navas holding down the #1 position when it counted. So, while Barcelona was first struggling and then surging to a 4-2 win at home against Eibar, the Costa Rican the real MVP of the day, sacrificing his body–ouch–to keep out a Malaga side that played their hearts out, despite having very little to play for. While rumors have been swirling for years that Navas could be on his way out from Madrid, he made sure to make what could be his last game with the club count, both on and off the field.