The 100+ Best Costa Rican Footballers Of All Time, Ranked

Costa Rica is the country that keeps showing up to the world’s biggest soccer party with a small backpack, a calm smile,
and the confidence of someone who knows they packed the good snacks. The Ticos have never had the population or
budget of the sport’s superpowersyet they’ve produced goalkeepers who collected Champions League medals, attackers who
made European defenders sweat through their tape, and midfielders who could turn chaos into a tidy, two-touch exit.

This list ranks 100+ Costa Rican footballersfrom World Cup heroes to domestic-league iconsusing a blend of
impact, longevity, peak performance, and legacy. It’s not meant to start arguments… but it probably will. (That’s half the
fun. The other half is pretending you “never rated” a player you absolutely screamed for in 2014.)

How We Ranked the Greatest Costa Rican Footballers

Ranking the best Costa Rican players of all time isn’t just “goals scored = greatness” (although goals help). We used a
simple, human approachbecause soccer is not a spreadsheet, even when we pretend it is.

Our scoring recipe

• International impact: World Cup moments, qualifiers, CONCACAF tournaments, leadership in big games.
• Peak level: How high their best seasons reached (club and country).
• Longevity & consistency: Years at a strong level, not just a one-tournament wonder.
• Difficulty of role: Some positions don’t get highlights; they get blamed. We accounted for that.
• Legacy: Did they change expectations for Costa Rican footballers after them?

A quick note: older eras have fewer easily comparable stats, so the “eye test + reputation + historical context” matters
more. If you’re about to tweet “but what about my uncle’s cousin’s legendary left back from 1978,” congratulationsyou’re
already in the spirit of a ranking list.

A Quick Timeline: Why Costa Rica Punches Above Its Weight

Costa Rica’s football identity is built on a few consistent themes: organized defending, brave goalkeeping, sharp
counterattacks, and a steady pipeline from local clubsespecially Saprissa, Alajuelense,
and Heredianoto the national team. That domestic foundation matters. It’s where players learn the rhythm
of rivalry games, pressure, and the art of “winning 1–0 without anyone touching your goalie.”

The 1990 World Cup run introduced Costa Rica to the global stage, while 2002 and 2006 reinforced the idea that the Ticos
weren’t a one-time surprise. Then 2014 happenedthe tournament that turned Costa Rica from “cool underdog story” into
“please stop calling them a surprise; they’re actually good.” And even as the player pool refreshes, new waves keep
arriving: young attackers, mobile defenders, and midfielders who look comfortable in tougher leagues earlier in their careers.

The Top 20: The Headliners Who Define Costa Rican Football

1) Keylor Navas (GK)

If Costa Rica had a “legendary mode,” it would be named after Keylor Navas. His peak wasn’t just “good for a Costa Rican”
(a phrase we should retire forever). It was world-classelite reflexes, big-game calm, and the kind of shot-stopping that
makes strikers consider a career in accounting. His 2014 World Cup remains a cornerstone of Costa Rica’s modern identity,
and his club career set a new ceiling for what a Costa Rican footballer could be.

2) Bryan Ruiz (AM/FW)

Bryan Ruiz was the national team’s artistic director for more than a decade: elegant first touch, clever movement between
lines, and the rare ability to slow a match down without killing the threat. He could score, create, andmost importantly
make teammates better. In big tournaments, he became the voice and the brain of the attack.

3) Paulo Wanchope (FW)

Wanchope was a defender’s nightmare: tall, smooth, deceptively quick, and always one feint away from being gone. He helped
open doors for Costa Rican attackers abroad, and his best moments had that “did he really just do that?” energy.

4) Walter Centeno (CM)

A midfield conductor with the kind of passing range that makes pressing teams regret their life choices. Centeno was the
player who could turn a frantic match into a pattern. If Costa Rica needed control, he provided itwith poise, not panic.

5) Rolando Fonseca (FW)

A classic goal threat with a nose for the right spaces and a talent for making chances appear when the game looked stuck.
Every great national team has a forward who lives for the moment; Fonseca brought that energy.

6) Celso Borges (CM)

The kind of midfielder coaches love: reliable, intelligent, tactically flexible, and always available for the next pass.
Borges helped bridge different generations of the Costa Rica national team while staying effective through changing systems.

7) Luis Gabelo Conejo (GK)

A foundational figure from the 1990 World Cup eraan early symbol that Costa Rica could defend with discipline and get elite
goalkeeping on the biggest stage. The “Ticos are hard to beat” reputation has roots here.

8) Hernán Medford (FW)

A forward remembered for big moments and for being part of the squads that helped define Costa Rica’s World Cup identity.
Medford embodied that classic Costa Rican edge: opportunistic, fearless, and always ready for a decisive contribution.

9) Álvaro Saborío (FW)

A striker with technique and composuresomeone who could finish, link play, and keep defenders honest. His club success and
national-team reliability make him one of the era’s defining forwards.

10) Christian Bolaños (AM/W)

A crafty, creative attacker who could unlock teams with a smart pass or a quick change of direction. Not every great player
needs fireworks; Bolaños delivered consistent danger.

11) Giancarlo González (CB)

Strong, composed, and dependableexactly what you want in the center of defense when the world’s best attackers show up.
He helped anchor some of Costa Rica’s best modern defensive performances.

12) Óscar Duarte (CB)

A defender with composure under pressure, strong positioning, and the kind of calmness that spreads across a back line.
Duarte’s best years aligned with Costa Rica’s modern peak.

13) Cristian Gamboa (RB)

Modern fullbacks need lungs, timing, and the courage to sprint forward while knowing the counterattack is coming. Gamboa
had the engine and the intelligence to handle the role at a high level.

14) Bryan Oviedo (LB)

A left-sided defender who offered both defensive bite and attacking support. In tournaments, he provided balancehelping the
team stay compact without losing width.

15) Kendall Waston (CB)

A towering presence who brought strength, aerial control, and the ability to survive chaotic matches. Sometimes “best”
means “the last person you want to run into on a corner kick.” Waston qualifies.

16) Ronald González (DF)

A key name tied to the 1990 generationpart of the group that built Costa Rica’s early World Cup identity and helped set
the standard for future defensive structure.

17) Mauricio Montero (DF)

Another pillar from the Italia ’90 era, representing the rugged, disciplined defending that helped Costa Rica earn respect
beyond CONCACAF.

18) Wilmer López (MF)

A valuable midfield figure from the 2002 generationsmart, steady, and part of a core that connected domestic excellence
to World Cup participation.

19) Yeltsin Tejeda (DM)

Every memorable tournament run has a midfielder who does the dirty work without demanding applause. Tejeda’s ball-winning
and positioning were crucial in Costa Rica’s modern successes.

20) Joel Campbell (FW/W)

A pace-and-skill attacker who could stretch defenses and add unpredictability. Campbell represents the modern Costa Rican
forward who looks comfortable in multiple systems and roles.

The Full Ranking: The 100+ Best Costa Rican Footballers Of All Time

Here’s the extended listan all-era blend of World Cup squads, domestic legends, and modern standouts. If your favorite is
“too low,” remember: rankings are an emotional support animal for sports arguments. Use responsibly.

1. Keylor Navas (GK) Modern-era icon and global club champion.
2. Bryan Ruiz (AM/FW) Creative leader and long-time national-team centerpiece.
3. Paulo Wanchope (FW) Trailblazing forward with big-stage moments.
4. Walter Centeno (CM) Midfield maestro and tempo-setter.
5. Rolando Fonseca (FW) Pure goal threat with lasting legacy.
6. Celso Borges (CM) Modern midfield mainstay and tactical glue.
7. Luis Gabelo Conejo (GK) 1990-era foundation stone.
8. Hernán Medford (FW) Big-game forward across key eras.
9. Álvaro Saborío (FW) Clinical striker and consistent contributor.
10. Christian Bolaños (AM/W) Creative attacker with sustained impact.
11. Giancarlo González (CB) Defensive anchor in the modern peak years.
12. Óscar Duarte (CB) Composed center back in major tournaments.
13. Cristian Gamboa (RB) High-level modern fullback.
14. Bryan Oviedo (LB) Two-way left back in key squads.
15. Kendall Waston (CB) Aerial force and defensive presence.
16. Ronald González (DF) Italia ’90 generation leader.
17. Mauricio Montero (DF) Defensive pillar from the early World Cup era.
18. Wilmer López (MF) Important midfield figure in the 2002 cycle.
19. Yeltsin Tejeda (DM) Ball-winner who enables the whole system.
20. Joel Campbell (FW/W) Modern attacker with pace and versatility.
21. Michael Umaña (DF) Experienced defender in big tournaments.
22. Randall Azofeifa (MF) Midfield control across multiple squads.
23. Jervis Drummond (DF) Reliable defender from 2002/2006 eras.
24. Luis Marín (DF) Defensive contributor across World Cup cycles.
25. Mauricio Solís (MF) Midfield engine from the 2002/2006 generations.
26. Ronald Gómez (FW) Attacking option with World Cup pedigree.
27. Winston Parks (FW) Forward with European-club experience.
28. Erick Lonnis (GK) Key goalkeeper from the 2002 generation.
29. Patrick Pemberton (GK) Veteran presence across modern squads.
30. Esteban Alvarado (GK) Part of the modern goalkeeping lineage.
31. Keysher Fuller (DF) Defender with notable tournament contributions.
32. Ronald Matarrita (LB) Modern fullback with club and country value.
33. Francisco Calvo (DF) Defensive leader in recent cycles.
34. Juan Pablo Vargas (DF) Modern defender with international minutes.
35. Johan Venegas (FW/W) Attack depth across multiple squads.
36. Rodney Wallace (W) Wide threat and work rate in modern rosters.
37. Waylon Francis (LB) Dependable option with top-league experience.
38. Junior Díaz (DF) Experienced defender for country and club.
39. Roy Miller (DF) Defensive contributor in key tournaments.
40. José Miguel Cubero (MF) Midfield role player in major squads.
41. Michael Barrantes (MF) Midfield craft and composure.
42. Daniel Colindres (MF) Tournament squad contributor.
43. Marco Ureña (FW) Forward presence across modern tournaments.
44. Gerson Torres (MF/W) Modern attacking depth.
45. Brandon Aguilera (MF) Next-wave midfield talent.
46. Jewison Bennette (FW/W) Young attacker representing the new generation.
47. Anthony Contreras (FW) Emerging striker in the modern pool.
48. Manfred Ugalde (FW) Modern forward with high-upside profile.
49. Julio Cascante (DF) Defender with notable club experience.
50. Joseph Mora (DF) Fullback depth and reliability.
51. Douglas Sequeira (MF) Midfield experience, including MLS era.
52. Carlos Hernández (MF) Skilled midfielder from the 2006 cycle.
53. Gabriel Badilla (DF) Defensive contributor in the 2006 generation.
54. José Porras (GK) Experienced goalkeeper in the 2006 roster.
55. Danny Carvajal (GK) Part of the 2014 World Cup squad depth.
56. Leonel Moreira (GK) Goalkeeping depth in the modern era.
57. Patrick Sequeira (GK) Modern goalkeeper in the national pool.
58. Roger Flores (DF) Italia ’90 captaincy-era influence.
59. Óscar Ramírez (MF) Key name from the 1990 World Cup generation.
60. Germán Chavarría (MF) Midfield enforcer from Italia ’90.
61. Juan Cayasso (MF) 1990-era figure tied to historic moments.
62. Héctor Marchena (DF) Defensive presence in the 1990 squad.
63. Vladimir Quesada (DF) 1990 World Cup squad defender.
64. Marvin Obando (DF) Italia ’90 squad contributor.
65. Claudio Jara (FW) Forward option in the 1990 squad.
66. Róger Gómez (MF) Midfield presence in the 1990 roster.
67. Alexander Guimaraes (MF) Player in 1990; later influential as a coach.
68. Roy Myers (FW) Attacker from the Italia ’90 group.
69. Ronald Marín (DF) 1990 squad defender.
70. Miguel Davis (DF) 1990 squad defender.
71. Geovanny Jara (DF) 1990 squad defender.
72. Hermidio Barrantes (GK) 1990 squad goalkeeper.
73. Miguel Segura (GK) 1990 squad goalkeeper.
74. Mauricio Wright (DF) Defender in the 2002 cycle.
75. Gilberto Martínez (DF) Defender across 2002/2006 cycles.
76. Daniel Vallejos (MF) Midfield option in 2002 squad.
77. Juan José Rodríguez (DF) Defensive depth in 2002 squad.
78. Harold Wallace (DF) Defender across 2002/2006 rosters.
79. Steven Bryce (FW) Forward option in 2002 squad.
80. Rodrigo Cordero (MF) Midfield depth in 2002 roster.
81. William Sunsing (FW) Forward option in 2002 roster.
82. Pablo Chinchilla (DF) Defensive depth in 2002 roster.
83. Carlos Castro (DF) Defender in the 2002 roster.
84. Lester Morgan (GK) Goalkeeper in the 2002 roster.
85. Leonardo González (DF) Defender in the 2006 roster.
86. Kurt Bernard (FW) Forward depth in the 2006 roster.
87. Víctor Núñez (FW) Striker in the 2006 roster.
88. Michael Rodríguez (DF) Defender in the 2006 roster.
89. Wardy Alfaro (GK) Goalkeeper in the 2006 roster.
90. Esteban Granados (MF) Midfield option in the 2014 roster.
91. Diego Calvo (MF) Midfield depth in the 2014 roster.
92. David Myrie (DF) Defender in the 2014 roster.
93. Ian Smith (DF) Defender in the 2018 roster.
94. Kenner Gutiérrez (DF) Defensive depth in the 2018 roster.
95. David Guzmán (MF) Midfield contributor in the modern era.
96. Douglas López (DF) Defender in the 2022 roster pool.
97. Carlos Martínez (DF) Defender in the 2022 roster pool.
98. Daniel Chacón (DF) Defender in the 2022 roster pool.
99. Youstin Salas (MF) Midfield depth in the 2022 roster pool.
100. Álvaro Zamora (FW/W) Emerging attacker in the 2022 roster pool.
101. Anthony Hernández (FW) Attacking depth in the 2022 roster pool.
102. Roan Wilson (FW) Attacking depth in the 2022 roster pool.
103. Aaron Murillo (MF) Modern midfield depth.
104. Alejandro Bran (MF) Next-wave midfielder.
105. Orlando Galo (MF) Modern midfield profile.
106. Josimar Alcócer (FW/W) Young attacker in the pipeline.
107. Kenneth Vargas (FW/W) Emerging attacker.
108. Warren Madrigal (FW) Young forward with upside.
109. Carlos Mora (FW/W) Modern attacking depth.
110. Haxzel Quirós (DF) Modern defensive depth.
111. Yael López (DF) Modern defensive depth.
112. Ian Lawrence (DF) Modern defensive depth.
113. Jeyland Mitchell (DF) Modern defensive depth.
114. Yeison Molina (DF) Modern defensive depth.

500+ Words of “Tico Football” Experiences: What This Ranking Feels Like in Real Life

Ranking Costa Rican footballers isn’t just a trivia exerciseit’s basically a tour of emotions that any fan (or curious
newcomer) recognizes. First comes the “memory montage” phase: you picture a keeper saving shots that seem physically
impossible, a striker turning a half-chance into a goal, and a midfield pivot quietly putting out fires like a human
sprinkler system. Then you remember the context: Costa Rica is a country where local club culture matters, where rivalries
are strong, and where a player’s legacy often blends national-team moments with what they did week-to-week at home.

The best Costa Rican footballers tend to create a very specific fan experience: the feeling that the team is never out of
a match, even when the opponent’s badge looks like it belongs on a private jet. When Costa Rica plays well, it often
looks like collective belief in motioncompact lines, smart pressing triggers, quick counters, and a stubborn refusal to
panic. As a viewer, you can feel the “shape” of the team. It’s not always flashy, but it’s confident. And when that style
clicks, it’s addictive.

Think about the experience of watching a World Cup group game where Costa Rica is supposed to be the underdog. The camera
cuts to a striker from a global powerhouse, and the commentary sets the stage like it’s inevitable. Then Costa Rica starts
winning duels. The fullbacks time their overlaps. The midfield disrupts passing lanes. The goalkeeper turns shots into
routine catches, like he’s doing laundry. At some point you realize the underdog narrative is outdatedCosta Rica isn’t
“lucky,” they’re prepared. That’s the emotional swing that fans remember most: the moment the matchup stops being scary.

On the club side, the experience has a different flavor. Domestic giants like Saprissa and Alajuelense aren’t just teams;
they’re identity factories. Players earn reputations through rivalry matches, pressure moments, and the kind of weekly
intensity that teaches you to manage nerves. That’s why so many Costa Rican internationals look comfortable in tournaments:
they’ve already lived through high-stakes games at home where mistakes become folk tales by Monday.

And then there’s the “generation handoff” experiencewatching veterans guide the next wave. In Costa Rica, you often see
young players get meaningful minutes early, because the national team has always needed renewal. That creates a special kind
of hope: you can look at the list above and see the story continuing. The names change, but the feeling is familiarCosta
Rica finds players who are brave, technically capable, and tactically sharp enough to compete above their weight class.
That’s why lists like this are fun: they’re not just about the past. They’re a preview of what’s next.

Final Whistle

Costa Rica’s best footballers share one common trait: they expanded what the world thought was possible for a small nation
in a big sport. Some did it by winning trophies abroad, others by delivering iconic World Cup moments, and many by building
the domestic foundation that keeps producing talent. However you shuffle the rankings, the core truth stands: Costa Rican
football has a rich historyand a future that still looks dangerous for anyone who underestimates the Ticos.