10 Most Popular Costa Rican Football (Soccer) Players

Costa Rica national team at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia by Edgar Breschanov – Wikipedia

10 Most Popular Costa Rican Football (Soccer) Players

Costa Rica is a Central American country represented by the Costa Rica national football team in men’s international football. The team is managed by the Costa Rican Football Federation ((FEDEFUTBOL) which governs all football affairs in the country.

Currently ranking at 34 in the FIFA ratings (as of 2022), Costa Rica is one of the most successful football teams in Central America.

Costa Rica made its World Cup debut in 1990 after failing to qualify in the 70s and 80s. They have been present in all other world cups since except 2010 when they failed to qualify.

2014, marked the nation’s best performance at the World Cup. They finished first in their group which consisted of Uruguay, Italy, and England. They were eliminated by the Netherlands in the quarter-finals following a penalty shootout. 2018 was one to forget, however, as they exited in the group stage after picking up a single point.

In Qatar 2022, the Costa Rica national football team will look to make up for the disappointing 2018 World Cup. They find themselves in Group E alongside Spain, Germany, and Japan. Group of death if there ever was one. They may not be favorites but they do have the players to impress and surpass expectations.

Below is a list of the most popular Costa Rican football players.

10. Jewison Bennette

Caps: 7

Goals: 2

Assists: 2

Born in 2004, Bennette is a professional footballer who plays in midfield for Sunderland and the Costa Rica national team. He represented Herediano, in Costa Rica in the 2021/22 season before signing for Sunderland in August 2022.

Currently, Bennette has 1 goal in 2 appearances for Sunderland. On 21^st August, he made his international debut for Costa Rica in a 0-0 draw against El Salvador. He became the youngest player to represent Costa Rica at 17 years and 2 months.

Since his debut, he has appeared consistently for the team and become an important player. He assisted the goal that sealed Costa Rica’s qualification in the playoff against New Zealand.

He scored his first two international goals in a friendly against South Korea. The game was in preparation for the World Cup which do wonders for his confidence ahead of the competition.

9. Bryan Ruiz

Caps: 103

Goals: 21

Assists: 1

Bryan Ruiz by Kirill Venediktov – Wikipedia

Ruiz is one of the most experienced players in the current Costa Rica squad. His full name is Bryan Jafet Ruiz González and he was born on 18^th August 1985 (37 years old).

He plays as either an attacking midfielder or a striker. Ruiz is the only Central American footballer to play in the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League, and the CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores.

Throughout his career, he has played for some very famous teams in Europe and both South and Central America. These include; Gent, Fulham, PSV, Sporting CP, Santos, and Alajuelense.

He made his debut for Costa Rica in 2005 and has been called up regularly ever since. He has made appearances in both the 2014 and 2018 world Cups and looks set to represent his country in Qatar.

8. Johan Venegas

Caps: 81

Goals: 11

Assists: 3

Venegas receiving instructions from coach Óscar Ramírez at the 2018 FIFA World Cup by Edgar Breshchanov – Wikipedia

Johan Alberto Venegas Ulloa born in 1988, is a winger/forward playing for Alajuelense and Costa Rica. He made his debut in September 2014 at Copa Centroamericana against Nicaragua.

Vanegas was part of the 23-man squad for the 2018 World Cup. He seems to be in a goal drought currently, failing to score in the last three years.

His last goal for his country came in 2019 against Curacao. Hopefully, he will find his shooting boots at the World Cup.

7. Anthony Contreras

Caps: 9

Goals: 2

Assists: 0

Anthony Daniel Contreras Enríquez, born in 2000, is a forward for Costa Rican club Herediano and the national team. He made his debut on 12^th November 2021 against Canada.

His 2 goals for his nation so far came in March 2022 against El Salvador and the USA in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers. He might be one of the youngest squad members, but much like Bennette, Contreras s reliable and a fan favorite.

6. Celso Borges

Caps: 154

Goals: 27

Assists: 3

Celso Borges (#5) behind Brazillian Gabriel Jesus – by Kirill Venediktov – Wikimedia Commons

Celso Borges Mora is a Central midfielder for Alajuelense in Costa Rica and the Costa Rica national team. With 154 international caps, Borges is the most capped Costa Rican men’s footballer.

In more than 50 FIFA World Cup qualifying games, as well as at the 2014 and 2018 FIFA World Cup finals, he has represented his nation. He has represented clubs such as Göztepe (Turkey) and Deportivo La Coruña among other European clubs.

Borges is a leader both on and off the pitch. He is adored by many fans having represented his country consistently since his debut in 2008.

5. Luis Marin

Caps: 130

Goals: 5

Óscar Ramírez (right) with Luis Antonio Marín (left) by ConTresCandados – Wikimedia Commons

Marin is a legend as far as Costa Rican football/soccer goes. He represented his country from 1993 to 2009 when he laid his boots down.

He was an uncompromising and sold center-back who as they say took no prisoners. Marin played a major role in Costa Rica’s greatest periods.

After retirement, he came back as an assistant coach in Brazil’s 2014 WC finals. The tournament was Costa Rica’s best in the competition and his presence was surely a contributing factor.

4. Walter Centeno

Caps: 137

Goals: 24

Walter Centeno 2016 by JuanJoséLP – Wikimedia Commons

An explosive and entertaining attacking midfielder who is missed by both Costa Ricans and anyone who got to watch him. Centeno made 137 appearances in his 15-year international career.

He represented his country wholeheartedly between 1995 and 2010. He was a regular member of the Costa Rica national team and held the record for most caps before it was broken by Celso Borges.

3. Rolando Fonseca

Caps: 113

Goals: 45

Rolando Fonseca Jiménez nicknamed El Principito is Costa Rica’s top scorer with 45 goals. He represented his country from 1992 to 2011 amassing 113 caps.

Known for his fierce long shot, El Principito was both a goal scorer and creator for his fellow countrymen. He represented Costa Rica n the 2002 WC which was his last but was left out for the 2006 campaign.

A legend to his countrymen, Fonseca’s goal record might stand for a while. His name will not be forgotten anytime soon if ever.

2. Joel Campbell

Caps: 118

Goals: 25

Former Arsenal player Joel Campbell by Unknown authhor – Wikimedia Commons

Diehard Arsenal fans surely know Campbell. Although his stint at the club was short-lived, he won the 2014 FA Community Shield.

Campbell has represented Costa Rica since 2011 making 118 appearances and scoring 25 goals for his country. He was present at the 2014 and 2018 WCs and will surely travel to Qatar in 2022.

Campbell has represented some top clubs in Europe other than Arsenal. They include; Sporting CP, Villareal, Betis, and Olympiacos. He currently plays for Monterrey in Mexico.

1. Keylor Navas

Caps: 107

Keylor Navas in goal for Costa Rica – Kirill Venediktov – Wikimedia Commons

A 3-time Champions League winner with Real Madrid. Did I mention the three came back-to-back? This fete alone is enough to understand why he would be considered Costa Rica’s most popular footballer.

However, Navas has put in some memorable performances for Costa Rica as well. Most Notably at the 2014 World Cup where he stunned the world with his acrobatic saves. After the tournament, he got a much-deserved move to Real Madrid (Los Blancos).

It is impossible to disregard Navas’ success for his native nation and his clubs. Goalkeepers are frequently disregarded, but Navas has established a reputation that few others do.

He currently plays for Paris Saint-Germain and has won all domestic trophies in France that he could have won. However, a move looks to be coming as he has lost his slot to Gianluigi Donnarumma.