Wikipedia

Rónald Gómez

For other footballers, see Ronald Gómez (Aruban footballer) and Ronald Gómez (Salvadoran footballer).
In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Gómez and the second or maternal family name is Gómez.

Rónald Gómez Gómez (born 24 January 1975) is a retired Costa Rican football forward and manager. He is the current manager for Liga Nacional club Achuapa.

Rónald Gómez
Gómez in 2007
Personal information
Full name Rónald Gómez Gómez[1]
Date of birth (1975-01-24) 24 January 1975 (age 49)
Place of birth Puntarenas, Costa Rica
Height 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)[2]
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
 Achuapa (Manager)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1992–1994 Carmelita 27 (9)
1994–1996 Alajuelense 68 (45)
1996–1997 Sporting Gijón 21 (2)
1997–1998 Hércules 11 (4)
1998–1999 Municipal (22)
1999–2002 OFI 87 (39)
2002–2003 Al Qadsia (2)
2004 → Irapuato (loan) 16 (2)
2004–2006 Saprissa 61 (13)
2006–2007 APOEL 20 (4)
2007–2008 Saprissa 28 (4)
2009 Santos de Guápiles 14 (2)
Total 353 (148)
International career
1993–2008 Costa Rica 93 (26)
Managerial career
2009 Carmelita
2010 Santos de Guápiles
2011 Deportivo Cartagena
2012 Juventud Escazuceña
2013 Halcones
2014 Limón
2016–2018 Xelajú
2018–2021 Malacateco
2021–2022 Costa Rica (assistant)
2023 Santa Lucía
2023–2024 Apollon Smyrnis
2024- Achuapa
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

An important player on the Costa Rica national football team during the 1990s and 2000s, Gómez is regarded as one of Costa Rica's best forwards, known for his rocket shots and top dribbling.

Gómez is, along with Paulo Wanchope, the top scorer for Costa Rica in the FIFA World Cup with three goals.[3]

Club career

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Early years

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Born in Puntarenas as the 12th child of Francisca Gómez, he was raised in the village Pilas de Canjel in Guanacaste Province.[4]

Nicknamed La Bala (The Bullit), Gómez started his career at Carmelita and scored his first league goal on 20 September 1992 against Saprissa.[5] He then scored 45 goals for Alajuelense before moving abroad.

Years abroad

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He has played in 6 different countries: in Spain with Sporting Gijón[6] and Hercules of Alicante, in Guatemala with Municipal,[7] in Greece with OFI,[8] in Kuwait with Al Qadsia, in Mexico with Irapuato[9] and in Cyprus with APOEL[10] where he won the Cypriot First Division.[11]

OFI

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In the summer of 1999, Greek OFI made the decision to sign Ronald Gómez from Guatemalan club Municipal, marking the Costa Rican striker's return to Europe after spells with Sporting de Gijón and Hércules CF. Despite some hesitation from the Cretan club due to the risks involved, the transfer was completed within a matter of hours, and Gómez quickly established himself as one of the most significant players to have graced Greek football during that era.[12]

Known as a classic "number 9" of the 1990s, Gómez became a cult figure in Greece due to his exceptional goal-scoring ability. He made a lasting impact on OFI, scoring 48 goals in 105 appearances. His performance helped lead the team to the UEFA Cup in the 2000–01 season, thanks to an impressive tally of 19 goals that season.

One of his most memorable moments came with a stunning goal against Proodeftiki, considered one of the finest in Greek football history. Gómez’s tenure at OFIcemented his legacy, and he remains a beloved figure among the club’s supporters.[12]

Saprissa

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With Saprissa, he has won 4 national championship; and 1 CONCACAF Champions Cup, and was part of the team that played the 2005 FIFA Club World Championship Toyota Cup where Saprissa finished third behind São Paulo and Liverpool.[13] He scored the winning goal in the final minutes of the game that Saprissa won in order to achieve the third place of the tournament against Al-Ittihad. His goal was considered among the best of the cup.

Return from retirement

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In June 2009, Gómez came out of playing retirement for a final season at Santos after he was relegated to the second division as manager of Carmelita.[14] After the season, he became manager of Santos.[15]

International career

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Gómez made his debut for Costa Rica in a February 1993 UNCAF Nations Cup qualification match against Nicaragua and earned a total of 93 caps, scoring 26 goals.[16] He represented his country in 27 FIFA World Cup qualification matches and figured at the 2002 and 2006 World Cups.[13] He also played at the 1993[17] and 2001 UNCAF Nations Cups[18] as well as at the 1993,[19] 2000[20] and 2002 CONCACAF Gold Cup[21] and the 1997,[22] 2001,[23] and 2004 Copa América.[24]

His final international was a March 2008 friendly match against Peru.

International goals

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Scores and results list. Costa Rica's goal tally first.
Goal Date Venue Opponent Result Competition
1 16 February 1993 Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica   Nicaragua 6–0 UNCAF Nations Cup qualifier
2 16 February 1993 Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica   Nicaragua 6–0 UNCAF Nations Cup qualifier
3 5 March 1993 Estadio Tiburcio Carías Andino, Tegucigalpa   El Salvador 1–0 UNCAF Nations Cup
– 23 June 1993 Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica   Panama 3–1 Unofficial friendly match
4 27 September 1993 Prince Mohamed bin Fahd Stadium, Dammam, Saudi Arabia   Saudi Arabia 2–3 Friendly match
5 17 December 1994 King Fahd International Stadium, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia   Saudi Arabia 3–1 Friendly match
6 17 December 1994 King Fahd International Stadium, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia   Saudi Arabia 3–1 Friendly match
7 17 December 1994 King Fahd International Stadium, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia   Saudi Arabia 3–1 Friendly match
8 5 June 1996 Varsity Stadium, Toronto, Canada   Canada 1–0 Friendly match
9 1 September 1996 Queen's Park Oval, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago   Trinidad and Tobago 1–0 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONCACAF)
10 14 December 1996 Stanford Stadium, Stanford, United States   United States 1–2 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONCACAF)
11 23 March 1997 Estadio Ricardo Saprissa Aymá, San José, Costa Rica   United States 3–2 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONCACAF)
12 17 July 1999 Titan Stadium, Fullerton, United States   Saudi Arabia 1–0 Friendly
13 18 August 1999 Estadio Centenario, Montevideo, Uruguay   Uruguay 4–5 Friendly
14 18 August 1999 Estadio Centenario, Montevideo, Uruguay   Uruguay 4–5 Friendly
15 30 May 2001 Estadio Olimpico Metropolitano, San Pedro Sula, Honduras   Panama 2–1 UNCAF Nations Cup
16 1 September 2001 Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago   Trinidad and Tobago 2–0 World Cup qualifier
17 1 September 2001 Hasely Crawford Stadium, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago   Trinidad and Tobago 2–0 World Cup qualifier
18 26 January 2002 Orange Bowl, Miami, United States   Haiti 2–1 2002 CONCACAF Gold Cup
19 30 January 2002 Rose Bowl, Pasadena, United States   South Korea 3–1 2002 CONCACAF Gold Cup
20 4 June 2002 Gwangju World Cup Stadium, Gwangju, South Korea   China 2–0 2002 FIFA World Cup
21 13 June 2002 Suwon World Cup Stadium, Suwon, South Korea   Brazil 2–5 2002 FIFA World Cup
22 20 June 2004 Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto, Alajuela, Costa Rica   Cuba 1–1 World Cup qualifier
23 8 June 2005 Estadio Ricardo Saprissa Aymá, San José, Costa Rica   Guatemala 3–2 World Cup qualifier
24 19 June 2005 Helong Stadium, Changsha, China   Panama 2–2 Friendly
25 3 September 2005 Estadio Rommel Fernández, Panama City, Panama   Panama 3–1 World Cup qualifier
26 20 June 2006 AWD-Arena, Hannover, Germany   Poland 1–2 2006 FIFA World Cup

Managerial career

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He made his debut as manager of Carmelita in January 2009.[5] In October 2010 he was dismissed by Santos de Guápiles[25] and he later managed second division sides Deportivo Cartagena[26] and Juventud Escazuceña.[27] In September 2013, he took charge of Guatemalan side Halcones[28] and in May 2014 he returned to Costa Rica to take charge at Limón.[29]

In August 2023, Ronald Gómez, a former OFI player, returned to Greece as the head coach of Apollon Smyrnis, a team that was preparing for the upcoming season in the Greek Football League (Gamma Ethniki). His appointment marked the return of a familiar face to Greek football, having been one of the top strikers for OFI during his playing career between 1999 and 2003.[30] Prior to joining Apollon Smyrnis, Gómez had managed Santa Lucia F.C. in Guatemala. However, his tenure with Apollon Smyrnis ended on 28 February 2024.[31]

After his departure from Apollon Smyrnis, Gómez took on the role of head coach at Deportivo Achuapa in Guatemala, where he began a new challenge, aiming to lead the team to the final phase of the Torneo Clausura 2024.[32]

Personal life

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He is married to Gina Soto and they have two sons, Esteban and Daniel.[33]

Honours

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References

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  1. ^ "2006 FIFA World Cup Germany: List of Players: Costa Rica" (PDF). FIFA. 21 March 2014. p. 5. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 June 2019.
  2. ^ "FIFA Club World Championship Japan 2005 – Official Rosters". FIFA. 4 December 2005. Archived from the original on 19 December 2005.
  3. ^ Abreu, Pedro. "Mundial Alemania 2006 .:. Sitio especial de nacion.com". La Nación. Retrieved 18 December 2017.
  4. ^ Los secretos de Pinino – Nación (in Spanish)
  5. ^ a b Rónald Gómez debuta como técnico carmelo Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine – Nación (in Spanish)
  6. ^ Gómez ilusiona a Gijón Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine – Nación (in Spanish)
  7. ^ Gómez al Municipal Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine – Nación (in Spanish)
  8. ^ Ronald Gómez jugará con equipo de Grecia Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine – Nación (in Spanish)
  9. ^ Rónald Gómez y Mauricio Solís firmaron con Irapuato Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine – Nación (in Spanish)
  10. ^ Ronald Gómez destaca en Chipre La última aventura de la Bala, un ‘trotamundos’ del futbol Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine – Nación (in Spanish)
  11. ^ Goleador tico es campeón chipriota Gómez alcanza su primera liga europea Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine – Nación (in Spanish)
  12. ^ a b "Ρόναλντ Γκόμεζ στο Gazzetta: "Με ήθελε ο Ολυμπιακός αλλά ο Παναθηναϊκός ήταν…"". Gazzetta. April 2023. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
  13. ^ a b Rónald Gómez – FIFA competition record (archived)
  14. ^ La Bala Gómez jugaría con Santos – Nación (in Spanish)
  15. ^ La Bala Gómez dirigirá a Santos Archived 4 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine – Nación (in Spanish)
  16. ^ Mamrud, Roberto (28 April 2008). "Rónald Gómez – Goals in International Matches". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 18 August 2009.
  17. ^ Qualifying Tournament for Gold Cup 1997 – Details[dead link‍] – RSSSF
  18. ^ Qualifying Tournament for Gold Cup 2001 – Details – RSSSF
  19. ^ CONCACAF Championship, Gold Cup 1993 – Full Details – RSSSF
  20. ^ CONCACAF Championship, Gold Cup 2000 – Full Details – RSSSF
  21. ^ CONCACAF Championship, Gold Cup 2002 – Full Details – RSSSF
  22. ^ Copa América 1997 – RSSSF
  23. ^ Copa América 2001[dead link‍] – RSSSF
  24. ^ Copa América 2004[dead link‍] – RSSSF
  25. ^ Santos despide a Ronald Gómez Archived 2 April 2015 at the Wayback Machine – Nación (in Spanish)
  26. ^ Ronald Gómez es el nuevo técnico de Cartagena en la liga de ascenso Archived 26 April 2015 at archive.today – Everardo Herrera (in Spanish)
  27. ^ El Pato y la Bala se topan en el banco Archived 27 July 2014 at archive.today – Nación (in Spanish)
  28. ^ Costarricense Ronald Gómez nuevo técnico del Halcones de Guatemala – Nación (in Spanish)
  29. ^ Rónald Gómez dirigirá a Limón FC Archived 20 May 2014 at the Wayback Machine – Al Día (in Spanish)
  30. ^ "Ο Ρόναλντ Γκόμεζ, παλαίμαχος φορ του ΟΦΗ, είναι ο νέος προπονητής του Απόλλωνα Σμύρνης". Gazzetta. 10 August 2023. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
  31. ^ "Τέλος από τον Απόλλωνα Σμ. ο Ρόναλντ Γκόμεζ". Sportcaster. 28 February 2024. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
  32. ^ "Ronald 'La Bala' Gómez asume la dirección técnica de Achuapa: "Es un reto importante y motivante"". ESPN. 5 March 2024. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
  33. ^ Ronald Gómez con su primer trofeo europeo La Bala no sigue en Chipre – Nación (in Spanish)
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