Rónald Gómez
Template:Short description Template:For Template:Family name hatnote Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox football biography
Rónald Gómez Gómez (born 24 January 1975) is a Costa Rican former football forward and manager. He is the current manager for Liga Nacional club Achuapa.
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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Club careerEdit
Early yearsEdit
Born in Puntarenas as the 12th child of Francisca Gómez, he was raised in the village Pilas de Canjel in Guanacaste Province.<ref>Los secretos de Pinino – Nación Template:In lang</ref>
Nicknamed La Bala (The Bullit), Gómez started his career at Carmelita and scored his first league goal on 20 September 1992 against Saprissa.<ref name="Nación">Rónald Gómez debuta como técnico carmelo Template:Webarchive – Nación Template:In lang</ref> He then scored 45 goals for Alajuelense before moving abroad.
Years abroadEdit
He has played in 6 different countries: in Spain with Sporting Gijón<ref>Gómez ilusiona a Gijón Template:Webarchive – Nación Template:In lang</ref> and Hercules of Alicante, in Guatemala with Municipal,<ref>Gómez al Municipal Template:Webarchive – Nación Template:In lang</ref> in Greece with OFI,<ref>Ronald Gómez jugará con equipo de Grecia Template:Webarchive – Nación Template:In lang</ref> in Kuwait with Al Qadsia, in Mexico with Irapuato<ref>Rónald Gómez y Mauricio Solís firmaron con Irapuato Template:Webarchive – Nación Template:In lang</ref> and in Cyprus with APOEL<ref>Ronald Gómez destaca en Chipre La última aventura de la Bala, un ‘trotamundos’ del futbol Template:Webarchive – Nación Template:In lang</ref> where he won the Cypriot First Division.<ref>Goleador tico es campeón chipriota Gómez alcanza su primera liga europea Template:Webarchive – Nación Template:In lang</ref>
OFIEdit
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.<ref name="Gazzetta">Template:Cite news</ref>
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.<ref name="Gazzetta"/>
SaprissaEdit
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.<ref name=FIFA>Template:FIFA player</ref> 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 retirementEdit
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.<ref>La Bala Gómez jugaría con Santos – Nación Template:In lang</ref> After the season, he became manager of Santos.<ref>La Bala Gómez dirigirá a Santos Template:Webarchive – Nación Template:In lang</ref>
International careerEdit
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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> He represented his country in 27 FIFA World Cup qualification matches and figured at the 2002 and 2006 World Cups.<ref name=FIFA/> He also played at the 1993<ref>Qualifying Tournament for Gold Cup 1997 – DetailsTemplate:Dead linkTemplate:Cbignore – RSSSF</ref> and 2001 UNCAF Nations Cups<ref>Qualifying Tournament for Gold Cup 2001 – Details – RSSSF</ref> as well as at the 1993,<ref>CONCACAF Championship, Gold Cup 1993 – Full Details – RSSSF</ref> 2000<ref>CONCACAF Championship, Gold Cup 2000 – Full Details – RSSSF</ref> and 2002 CONCACAF Gold Cup<ref>CONCACAF Championship, Gold Cup 2002 – Full Details – RSSSF</ref> and the 1997,<ref>Copa América 1997 – RSSSF</ref> 2001,<ref>Copa América 2001Template:Dead linkTemplate:Cbignore – RSSSF</ref> and 2004 Copa América.<ref>Copa América 2004Template:Dead linkTemplate:Cbignore – RSSSF</ref>
His final international was a March 2008 friendly match against Peru.
International goalsEdit
- Scores and results list. Costa Rica's goal tally first.
Managerial careerEdit
He made his debut as manager of Carmelita in January 2009.<ref name="Nación" /> In October 2010 he was dismissed by Santos de Guápiles<ref>Santos despide a Ronald Gómez Template:Webarchive – Nación Template:In lang</ref> and he later managed second division sides Deportivo Cartagena<ref>Ronald Gómez es el nuevo técnico de Cartagena en la liga de ascenso Template:Webarchive – Everardo Herrera Template:In lang</ref> and Juventud Escazuceña.<ref>El Pato y la Bala se topan en el banco Template:Webarchive – Nación Template:In lang</ref> In September 2013, he took charge of Guatemalan side Halcones<ref>Costarricense Ronald Gómez nuevo técnico del Halcones de Guatemala – Nación Template:In lang</ref> and in May 2014 he returned to Costa Rica to take charge at Limón.<ref>Rónald Gómez dirigirá a Limón FC Template:Webarchive – Al Día Template:In lang</ref>
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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
Personal lifeEdit
He is married to Gina Soto and they have two sons, Esteban and Daniel.<ref>Ronald Gómez con su primer trofeo europeo La Bala no sigue en Chipre – Nación Template:In lang</ref>
HonoursEdit
- Primera División de Costa Rica (3):
- 1995-96, 2005–06, 2007–08
- Copa Interclubes UNCAF (1):
- 1996
- CONCACAF Champions' Cup (1):
- Cypriot First Division (1):
ReferencesEdit
External linksEdit
Template:Navboxes Template:2002 CONCACAF Gold Cup Team of the Tournament Template:Costa Rican Primera División top scorers