# Rolando Fonseca > Costa Rican footballer **Wikidata**: [Q483093](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q483093) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolando_Fonseca) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/rolando-fonseca ## Summary Rolando Fonseca is a Costa Rican footballer who played as a forward for various clubs and the Costa Rica national team. He is the all-time leading goal scorer for the Costa Rican national team with 47 goals in 113 appearances. ## Biography - Born: June 6, 1974 - Nationality: Costa Rican - Education: Not specified in source material - Known for: Costa Rica's all-time top scorer in international football - Employer(s): Saprissa, Pachuca, Cruz Azul, Alajuelense, and other clubs - Field(s): Professional football (soccer) ## Contributions Rolando Fonseca made significant contributions to Costa Rican football through his prolific goal-scoring record. He scored 47 goals in 113 appearances for the Costa Rica national team, making him the country's all-time leading goal scorer. Fonseca played professionally for numerous clubs including Deportivo Saprissa, C.F. Pachuca, Cruz Azul, and LD Alajuelense. His career spanned from 1991 to 2012, during which he helped Costa Rica qualify for the 2002 FIFA World Cup and participated in the 2006 FIFA World Cup. ## FAQs Where was Rolando Fonseca born? Rolando Fonseca was born on June 6, 1974 in Costa Rica. What position did Rolando Fonseca play? Rolando Fonseca played as a forward throughout his professional football career. Which clubs did Rolando Fonseca play for? Fonseca played for several clubs including Deportivo Saprissa, C.F. Pachuca, Cruz Azul, LD Alajuelense, and others during his career from 1991 to 2012. What is Rolando Fonseca's most notable achievement? His most notable achievement is being Costa Rica's all-time leading goal scorer with 47 goals in 113 appearances for the national team. Did Rolando Fonseca play in any World Cups? Yes, Fonseca participated in the 2002 FIFA World Cup and the 2006 FIFA World Cup with the Costa Rica national team. ## Why They Matter Rolando Fonseca matters significantly in Costa Rican football history as the nation's all-time leading goal scorer. His 47 goals for the national team set a record that has stood for years, making him a legendary figure in Costa Rican sports. Fonseca's contributions helped elevate Costa Rica's international football profile, particularly during the 2002 and 2006 World Cup campaigns. His success at both the club and international level inspired a generation of Costa Rican footballers and helped establish the country as a competitive force in CONCACAF football. ## Notable For - Costa Rica's all-time leading goal scorer with 47 international goals - Participated in both the 2002 and 2006 FIFA World Cups - Played professionally for over two decades (1991-2012) - Scored in multiple international tournaments and qualifiers - Helped Costa Rica qualify for major international competitions - Played for clubs in multiple countries including Mexico and Costa Rica - Held the national team appearance record for many years ## Body ### Early Career and Development Rolando Fonseca began his professional football career in 1991 at the age of 17. He started playing for Deportivo Saprissa, one of Costa Rica's most successful clubs. His early development at Saprissa laid the foundation for what would become a long and successful career in professional football. ### Club Career Fonseca's club career was extensive and varied, spanning multiple countries and leagues. He played for Deportivo Saprissa in Costa Rica, where he won multiple domestic titles. His success at Saprissa led to opportunities abroad, including stints with Mexican clubs C.F. Pachuca and Cruz Azul. He also played for LD Alajuelense, another prominent Costa Rican club. Throughout his career, Fonseca demonstrated his goal-scoring ability at every level, becoming known for his clinical finishing and positioning in the penalty area. ### International Career Fonseca's international career with Costa Rica spanned from 1991 to 2011, representing his country for 20 years. He made 113 appearances for the national team, scoring 47 goals. His international career included participation in the 2002 FIFA World Cup in South Korea and Japan, and the 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany. Fonseca played a crucial role in Costa Rica's qualification campaigns for these tournaments, scoring important goals in both the 2002 and 2006 qualifiers. ### Goal-Scoring Record Fonseca's goal-scoring record for Costa Rica is particularly impressive. With 47 goals in 113 appearances, he holds the record as the country's all-time leading goal scorer. This achievement places him among the most prolific international goal scorers in CONCACAF history. His goal-scoring ability was not limited to friendlies or minor competitions; he scored in World Cup qualifiers, Gold Cup matches, and other important international fixtures. ### World Cup Participation Fonseca participated in two FIFA World Cups during his career. In the 2002 World Cup, he played in all three group stage matches as Costa Rica reached the round of 16, their best performance at the time. In the 2006 World Cup, he again represented Costa Rica, playing in two matches. While he didn't score in either tournament, his experience and leadership were valuable to the team. ### Playing Style and Legacy As a forward, Fonseca was known for his positioning, finishing ability, and experience. He was particularly effective in the penalty area, with a knack for being in the right place at the right time. His longevity in the game, playing at the international level for 20 years, speaks to his professionalism and dedication. Fonseca's legacy in Costa Rican football is secure as the country's all-time leading goal scorer, and he remains an inspiration to young Costa Rican footballers. ### Career Statistics Throughout his career, Fonseca accumulated impressive statistics. He scored 47 goals in 113 appearances for Costa Rica, a record that stood for many years. At the club level, he scored numerous goals for various teams, though specific club statistics are not provided in the source material. His career spanned 21 years, from 1991 to 2012, demonstrating remarkable longevity in a physically demanding sport. ### Impact on Costa Rican Football Fonseca's impact on Costa Rican football extends beyond his goal-scoring records. He helped establish Costa Rica as a competitive force in CONCACAF during a period when the country was developing its football program. His success at the international level helped raise the profile of Costa Rican football and inspired future generations of players. Fonseca's career coincided with Costa Rica's emergence as a regular participant in World Cup competitions, and his contributions were vital to this development. ### Post-Playing Career While specific details about Fonseca's post-playing career are not provided in the source material, many former players transition into coaching, management, or football administration roles. Given his extensive experience and knowledge of the game, Fonseca would be well-positioned to contribute to Costa Rican football in various capacities after his playing career ended in 2012. ## References 1. FBref 2. Argentine Soccer Database 3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 4. [Source](https://prensacr.info/data/61df0b02445c2c0936bafa32)