Sport
The greatest Costa Rica XI of all time
Outside of the USA and Mexico, few North American nations have enjoyed quite as much success as Costa Rica. Based in the heart of Central America, Costa Rica have been regular stars on the global scene shining in both the CONCACAF Championships and even the World Cup. For Los Ticos, their most famous moments came in the 2014 World Cup where they knocked out the likes of England and Italy on their way to the last eight before being eliminated by The Netherlands. This has built on decades of progress which also included plenty of success at regional level including winning 3 CONCACAF Championships in 1963, 1969 and 1989. Having proven their credentials on the world stage, plenty of their players have shined in leagues across the world. But who would make the greatest Costa Rica XI of all time?
GK: Keylor Navas
When it comes to Costa Rican stars, few have shone as brightly as Keylor Navas. One of the posterboys of the modern generation, Navas has won plenty of plaudits for his outstanding reactions, quick feet and ability to perform under pressure. After being the star of Costa Rica’s run to the quarter finals at the 2014 World Cup, Navas earned a big-money move to Real Madrid from fellow Spanish side Levante. From here, Navas has since shown at the highest possible level winning La Liga, 3 Champions League titles and 4 Club World Cups. A move to Paris Saint-Germain also saw him claim 2 Ligue 1 trophies in 2020 and 2022. For his own efforts, Navas has won plenty of individual awards such as 3x CONCACAF Goalkeeper of the Year awards and also Goalkeeper of the Year in both La Liga and Ligue 1. It’s proof that validates Navas as one of the greatest Costa Rican footballers no matter what era they may have played in.
RB: Gilberto Martinez
In an era where Costa Rica were rebuilding their credentials, few players were able to secure international recognition quite like Gilberto Martinez. Known for his energy and excellent tackling, Martinez spent the majority of his career in Italy where he starred primarily for Brescia and Lecce. Flirting between Serie A and Serie B, Martinez became a key part of Brescia’s team making over 200 appearances for the Italian side. His excellent form also brought short loan spells at established sides such as Roma and Sampdoria when Brescia dropped down into Serie B. Martinez retired in 2016 having spent well over a decade performing exceptionally in one of Europe’s premier footballing landscapes.
LB: Alvaro Grant
Costa Rica were one of CONCACAF’s strongest sides in the 1960s and one of the brightest lights in this squad was Alvaro Grant. Spending his entire career in Costa Rica with Herediano, Grant was a senior figure in a side that won 2 Costa Rican Primera League titles during his time there. Grant enjoyed plenty of success with the national side too being a part of the squad that won both the 1963 and 1969 CONCACAF Championships. After retiring in 1973, Grant would go on to enjoy more success on the touchline leading top domestic sides such as Alajuelense and Herediano as well as enjoying two spells managing his country.
CB: Mario Cordero
As a founding member of Costa Rica’s successful 1963 side, Mario Cordero was a defender that took no prisoners. Alongside his tough tackling, Cordero was a player never found to be out of position and always full of energy. Much of Cordero’s success domestically came with Deportivo Saprissa who he spent his entire career with. He played a key part in Saprissa winning their first 5 Primera Division titles up until he retired in 1964. This came just one year after featuring in a Costa Rica side that won the inaugural CONCACAF Championship in 1963. After transferring this knowledge into management, Cordero remains a footballing icon in his homeland to this very day.
CB: Oscar Duarte
When it comes to modern day defenders, there are few as versatile as Oscar Duarte. Able to be deployed anywhere within the backline, Duarte has excellent passing from the back as well as excellent heading abilities. This array of skills has seen Duarte shine in many of Europe’s top leagues. This included a prolonged spell in Belgium with Club Brugge as well as stints in La Liga with the likes of Espanyol and Levante. Most of Duarte’s success came in Belgium winning both the Belgian Pro League and the Belgian Cup. Duarte has also featured in three separate World Cup squads for Costa Rica appearing at the 2014, 2018 and 2022 tournaments.
CM: Celso Borges
Despite not being as illustrious as some of his countrymen, few players have had an impact on the game quite like Celso Borges. Capable of playing with both feet, Borges has starred by making mazy runs and having an excellent range of passing. This has seen Borges shine in leagues throughout Europe playing for sides in Sweden, Spain and Turkey. Borges’ best run came in the mid-2010s playing for Deportivo La Coruna in La Liga being a key part of their midfield as they returned to the Spanish top flight. Borges has also been an ever-present member of the Costa Rica national side having played in 4 World Cups for his home nation. Having massed over 150 caps for his nation, Borges holds the national record for most appearances in a streak few look set to match anytime soon.
CM: Walter Centeno
A tricky playmaker who could always disrupt defences, Walter Centeno never got as much credit as some of his compatriots. Spending the majority of his career with boyhood club Saprissa, Centeno enjoyed plenty of success winning no less than 10 Primera Division titles in his career as well as the 2005 CONCACAF Champions Cup. With Costa Rica, Centeno won over 137 caps for his nation and was a regular star at the CONCACAF Gold Cup. This included winning the 2003 Gold Cup Golden Boot as well as nominations in the 2003 and 2007 All Star Teams. A devastating player who could make an impact whenever he was given the chance.
CM: Bryan Ruiz
One of the poster boys of Costa Rica’s reformation in the 21st century, few players had an X-Factor quite like Bryan Ruiz. With quick feet and an eye for goal, Ruiz could both create and convert chances without much difficulty. And he could do this at the highest level as proven by successful spells in The Netherlands, England and Portugal. After a stunning 24-goals season with FC Twente in their 2009/10 Eredivisie title win, Ruiz moved to the Premier League with Fulham in 2011. This 4-year stint saw Ruiz win Goal of the Month in 2011 as well as scoring eight goals in the English top flight. Ruiz found more success with Sporting Lisbon where his 8-goal season saw him named 2016 CONCACAF Player of the Year. On top of this, Ruiz has earned almost 150 caps for his nation and featured at 4 World Cups making him one of their greatest players to ever lace up the boots.
FW: Hernan Medford
Despite having been a journeyman for much of his career, Hernan Medford was always able to make an impact wherever he went. Medford’s pace and tricky made him a handful for any defence and could appear on either flank without much warning. This versatility made him a handful over a career that shone in no less than 6 different countries. His most notable spells arguable came in Mexico where he played for the likes of Pachuca, Leon and Necaxa. Whilst at Pachuca, he was part of the squad that won the 1996 Liga MX title showcasing his abilities in elite competition. Medford was also a key part of the Costa Rica side that won the 1989 CONCACAF Championship as well as featuring in both the 1990 and 2002 World Cup tournaments. Having enjoyed a successful transition to management with sides across Central America, Medford has shown that he could find victory no matter what part of the pitch he was on.
FW: Paulo Wanchope
One of Costa Rica’s biggest stars at the turn of the century, Paulo Wanchope was a striker who was never afraid of finding the back of the net. He did it by breaking new ground becoming the first Costa Rican player to ever feature in English football. During stints with Derby County, West Ham and Manchester City, Wanchope always led the line and converted chances without blinking an eye. He underlined this by notching double-figure tallies three times in England with a best of 13 goals during the 1997-98 season with Derby. This form was also recognised by Wanchope being named Premier League Player of the Month in October 1997. With the national side, Wanchope was also deadly when in big games scoring 3 times at the World Cup for his homeland. Having delivered when it mattered most, Wanchope proved himself to be one of the finest talents Costa Rica has ever produced.
FW: Alejandro Morera
It’s safe to say that Alejandro Morera was Costa Rica’s first major footballing star. With a powerful shot and ability to slip his marker, Morera was deadly no matter who he played for. He proved this best with Barcelona where he was their leading striker during the mid-1930s. Over three seasons, he scored 63 goals in just 76 games showcasing how he could star in elite leagues. However, his best record came for hometown side Alajuelense where he scored 487 goals in just over 500 appearances. This rich scoring effort has seen Morera’s legacy extend well past his death in 1995. Not only did Alajuelense rename their stadium after him shortly after his death, he was named Costa Rica’s greatest player of the 20th Century in 1999. With such a huge legacy, it’s hard to see many rivalling this form even in the modern form of the game today.
