Mario Cordero

Mario Cordero
Personal information
Full nameMario Cordero Brenes
Date of birthApril 7, 1930
Place of birthSan José, Costa Rica
Date of deathJuly 10, 2002 (aged 72)
Place of deathSan José, Costa Rica
Playing positionDefender
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
1949-1951Saprissa
1951-1952Marte
1952-1964Saprissa
National team
1950–1963Costa Rica41(7)
Teams managed
1964-1967Saprissa
1965Costa Rica
1968-1970Saprissa
1980Saprissa
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only.
† Appearances (Goals).
This name uses Spanish naming customs: the first or paternal family name is Cordero and the second or maternal family name is Brenes.

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

  1. "MARIO CORDERO BRENES (CATATO)". Salón de la Fama del Deporte Costarricense. Retrieved 2009-06-02.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Catato" murió ayer Mario a la eternidad (Obituary) - Nación (Spanish)
  3. Mamrud, Roberto. "Costa Rica - Record International Players". RSSSF. Retrieved 2009-06-02.
  4. Grandes figuras del deporte Nadie como Catato Mario Cordero, el mejor defensa central de todos los tiempos - Nación (Spanish)

External links