Francisco Hernández

As a midfielder and leader, “Chico” Hernández was regarded as one of the all-time great players at Costa Rican club Deportivo Saprissa. He joined Saprissa as a 12-year-old, and at 17 was in the first team, and in his first season scored 12 goals as he went on to win the first of 10 league titles. That was followed by two more titles in succession, 1968 and 1969. After finishing runner-up in 1970 and 1971, Saprissa then won an unprecedented six titles in a row 1972-77, and in 1982, the year before he retired, Hernández won his 10th title. He also won one Costa Rican cup, in 1970.

Hernández won 31 international caps, and scored five goals, between 1967-80, and was captain of the Costa Rican side at the 1980 Moscow Olympics. He took part in three FIFA World Cup qualifying campaigns, for the 1970, 1978 and 1982 tournaments. Chico and his brother, Fernando, known as “Principe”, played together at both Saprissa and in the national side. After his playing days, Hernández worked as an insurance agent.