Before considering placing Keylor Navas in the world hierarchy after his performance against Barcelona on Wednesday at the Parc des Princes, there is first an observation.
Unanimous.
"Fortunately he was there, fortunately!
“, Thus launch in chorus Pascal Olmeta or Elie Baup, former guardians.
Jérôme Alonzo, the former Parisian post specialist between 2001 and 2008, goes further.
“He saved a lot more than a match,” assures the consultant of the L'Equipe channel.
On Wednesday, he may have saved part of the project on his own.
Because if they are eliminated, there is no longer any extension for Kylian Mbappé.
Even for Neymar, it might be hot… You know what I mean?
And then, there, you are no longer labeled "loser".
"
And Alonzo adds: "You gave him 9 as a mark."
Me, I put him 10. First for his interventions which are perfect, and very difficult for three of them.
But also for the symbolic dimension, because it saves the club from a brothel… But people do not even imagine!
That guy raise it up!
When I see how much we pay some average players… But take money away from everyone and give it to him!
"
"What he did is fabulous"
Former OM goalkeeper Pascal Olmeta is also showing real enthusiasm.
“It was Navas, it was gracias!
(Editor's note: thank you in Spanish),
”he says.
But it is also by thinking of his performances in the championship that he places him at the highest level.
"He is for sure in the top 3 in the world," he says.
And those who say the opposite is that they don't understand anything.
Unfortunately there are!
But for me, he can play in Paris or elsewhere, what he did is fabulous.
Basta.
With Neuer (Bayern) and Oblak (Atlético), these are the three most consistent.
"
In the small game of the standings, Elie Baup is careful: “It's difficult, we should see all the matches.
"On the other hand, he is affirmative on one point:" In all cases, on the line, he is number one, he is the strongest.
"For the former coach of Bordeaux and Toulouse," Navas is one of the 5/6 great goalkeepers who play in Europe ".
He also quotes Alisson Becker (Liverpool), Ederson Santana (City), Ter Stegen (Barça), Neuer, Courtois (Real), Lloris (Tottenham).
He notices that the kicking game, "it's not his strong point", but specifies that, despite everything, "a goalkeeper like him makes you move forward, pass levels".
“In addition, in his mentality, he is exceptional, underlines Baup.
He's a super champion.
"
VIDEO. PSG: Keylor Navas, a “Golden Ball” level goalkeeper
"It feels like he's a good guy"
On this point, it is not Jérôme Alonzo who will say the opposite.
“It has everything, it radiates, it makes guys happy,” he appreciates.
It feels like he's a good guy.
When he pushes back the penalty, he thinks of his understudy right away.
When I think back to what I went through but I say to myself:
“My God, poor people!
What a privilege to be able to work with such a lord!
"
"
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Regarding Navas' place in the world ranking, Alonzo is also cautious.
“Because the hierarchy is actually hyperfluctuating,” he explains.
It's a bit like the ATP ranking in tennis: it can't be fixed.
But, at the moment T, he is not very far from being number one.
"
"Navas has more merit than Neuer"
Only Manuel Neuer invites himself to compare.
"Because he does indeed play big games," continues Alonzo.
But hey, he has Lewandowski.
In Paris, I find that Navas is no longer alone.
Neymar and Mbappé are so irregular that I give more credit to Navas than to Neuer in the good behavior of the team.
"
Under these conditions, can Navas dream of a Golden Ball if he were to win a fourth Champions League at the end of this season?
"It's complicated," Alonzo grimaces.
Buffon, Neuer and even Casillas when he stopped everything never got it.
Because it is human beings who vote and, unfortunately for us, and it has been that since the dawn of time, a good goal marks more than a good stop.
It's like that.
And it's not for nothing that there has been a special price for goalkeepers for 2 years.
So, no, Navas will not have the Golden Ball.
But at least for Paris, he has already won the golden gloves.
"
