Full name Alex Sanchez Cruz 1946–1947 Orion Name Alex Cruz | Playing position Role Football player 1940–1946 Saprissa | |
Date of birth (1930-07-20) July 20, 1930 (age 85) | ||
Place of birth Naranjo, Costa Rica | ||
Alex Sánchez Cruz, (born July 20, 1930), is a former Costa Rican football player.
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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 10 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 accurately 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.
International career
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 in 1956 played with the Costa Rica national team at the third and last edition of the invitational Pan American Championship 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. He earned a total of 32 caps, scoring no goals.
Highlights
Personal life
Sánchez married Sara Arroyo in March 1953. The couple had 4 children and 10 grandchildren. He currently resides in San José, Costa Rica.