Mario Cordero
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Mario Cordero Brenes | ||
| Date of birth | April 7, 1930 | ||
| Place of birth | San José, Costa Rica | ||
| Date of death | July 10, 2002 (aged 72) | ||
| Place of death | San José, Costa Rica | ||
| Playing position | Defender | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1949-1951 | Saprissa | ||
| 1951-1952 | Marte | ||
| 1952-1964 | Saprissa | ||
| National team | |||
| 1950–1963 | Costa Rica | 41 | (7) |
| Teams managed | |||
| 1964-1967 | Saprissa | ||
| 1965 | Costa Rica | ||
| 1968-1970 | Saprissa | ||
| 1980 | Saprissa | ||
|
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. | |||
Mario Cordero Brenes (7 April 1930 – 10 July 2002) was a Costa Rican football player and coach; he is still considered in his country as one of the top defenders to have played the game.[1]
Club career
Better known as Catato or Piernas de Oro,[2] he was part of the Deportivo Saprissa team that went on a World Tour in 1959, becoming the first Latin American team to ever do such a trip. Catato was the leader and captain of Deportivo Saprissa during the 50's and early 60's. He had one season in the Mexican league, with Atletico Marte. He retired after a game against Argentinian side Banfield on 25 December 1964.[2] Catato is remembered as a player, for his chivalry in and out of the field, as well as his great positioning in the field, his great shoot and security as a defender.
International career
During those years, he played the same role in the Costa Rica national football team, making 41 appearances.[3]
Managerial career
As coach, Catato guided Saprissa to four national titles in the 60's, adding up to the four he had won previously as a player. He also managed Costa Rica's national team.[4]
Death
He died of respiratory arrest on 10 July 2002 in the Rafael Angel Calderon Guardia Hospital in San José.[2]
References
- ↑ "MARIO CORDERO BRENES (CATATO)". Salón de la Fama del Deporte Costarricense. Retrieved 2009-06-02.
- 1 2 3 "Catato" murió ayer Mario a la eternidad (Obituary) - Nación (Spanish)
- ↑ Mamrud, Roberto. "Costa Rica - Record International Players". RSSSF. Retrieved 2009-06-02.
- ↑ Grandes figuras del deporte Nadie como Catato Mario Cordero, el mejor defensa central de todos los tiempos - Nación (Spanish)
External links
- Mario Cordero at National-Football-Teams.com