Alex Sánchez Cruz

Football player infobox2
playername = Alex Sanchez


fullname = Alex Sanchez Cruz
nickname = "El Nene" (The Kid)
dateofbirth = Birth date and age|1930|7|20|mf=y
cityofbirth = Naranjo
countryofbirth = Costa Rica
position = Left wingback
youthyears = 1944–1948
youthclubs = Orion F.C. / Deportivo Saprissa
years = 1949–1960 1960–1963
clubs = Deportivo Saprissa Liga Deportiva Alajuelense
caps(goals) =
nationalyears = 1950 – 1963
nationalteam = Costa Rica
nationalcaps(goals) = 41 aprox.

Alex Sanchez Cruz, (born July 20, 1930), nicknamed "El Nene" (The Kid), is a former Costa Rican soccer player. His charismatic and humble demeanor made him a beloved sports figure across the country. He earned his nickname by consistently ordering a glass of milk at every restaurant he visited. He is still recognized by soccer fans throughout the country.

Biography

He was born in Naranjo in Costa Rica's, Alajuela province. Alex started his soccer career at the early age of 14 playing in the Minor League for the Deportivo Saprissa. He started by training twice a day with the club and soon advanced to playing full-time. In 1945 he started in the first ever National Youth Championship where he won a national title for the first time in his career.

By 1946 Saprissa had ascended to the Juvenile Division and Alex had become the starting goalkeeper. Saprissa won the Championship in the new division by beating the Liga Deportiva Alajuelense in a best-of-three series. The Championship allowed the Deportivo Saprissa, the Minor League branch of a Major League team named Orion F.C., to ascend to the Major Division. The team was renamed Orion F.C. and Alex's strong frame and ability to accuretely kick the ball with both legs prompted the coach to move him into the position of left wingback. He would remain in this position until his retirement. However, he would still train as a goalkeeper and would serve as a back-up in every team he ever played with, including the Costa Rica National Team.

In 1947 Alex played in the Third Division for the newly-renamed Orion F.C. and again was part of the team that won the Championship. This continued success prompted Ricardo Saprissa, the team's co-founder and namesake, to register the team in the Third Division of the Major League. That same year the Orion F.C. won the Championship, thus advancing to the Second Division, where the team was renamed back to the Deportivo Saprissa.

The next season, the Deportivo Saprissa advanced one last time to the Primera Division, Costa Rica's top soccer league, where they still play to this date. Alex Sanchez was part of the team that won the first 3 National Championship in Costa Rica's top league in 1952, 1953 and 1957.

The National Team

By 1950 Alex had earned a spot on the Costa Rica National Team. His debut was in the "VI Juegos Centroamericanos y del Caribe" played in Guatemala. In 1951 he was called once again to play for the National Team at the 1951 Pan American Games in Argentina where they finished second place.

During Alex's 14 years playing with the National Team, he only missed playing once, in 1953. His wedding ceremony was to be held one month before the tournament and the coach excused him from playing for the team.

Alex was back in 1955 starting for the National Team in Honduras where the team would go to finished the tournament undefeated.

In 1955 Alex returned to play and start at the 1955 Pan American Games held in Mexico. By this time, his skills had grown considerably and during just one game he would play in three different positions: Left wingback, Right wingback, and Centre back. His versatility earned him the Most Valuable Player trophy.

In 1958 Alex would participate in the qualifying matches for the 1958 FIFA World Cup held in Sweden. Costa Rica lost a best-of-two series against Mexico, and would miss the chance to go on to participate in the FIFA World Cup.

Highlights

*Costa Rica National Championship in 1952, 1953, and 1957 with the Deportivo Saprissa.

*Champion at the "Juegos Centroamericanos y del Caribe" in 1955, 1959 and 1963 with the Costa Rica National Team.

*Second Place at the Pan American Games in 1951 and 1955 with the Costa Rica National Team.

*World Soccer Tour in 1959 with the Deportivo Saprissa visiting Curacao, Aruba, Venezuela, Portugal, Holland, Austria, Italy, Israel, Thailand, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Philippines, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Hawaii, United States, and Mexico. The tour totaled 22 games and the Deportivo Saprissa finished the tour with and impressive 14-1-7 record.

*Part of the "Chaparritos de Oro". The nickname was coined by the Mexican press.

*Married Sara Arroyo in March 1953. The couple had 4 children and 10 grandchildren. They are still married to this date.

*Currently resides in San José, Costa Rica.

See also

* List of footballers (soccer)

External links

*http://www.saprissa.co.cr
*http://www.saprissa.com