History of Deportivo Saprissa facts for kids
The history of Deportivo Saprissa tells the story of one of the most famous football clubs in Costa Rica. This team, often called "Los Morados" (The Purples), has a rich history filled with championships and special moments, starting from its very beginning in 1935.
How Saprissa Started (1935-1948)
Deportivo Saprissa was founded on July 16, 1935. A man named Roberto Fernández started the club in his shoe store in downtown San José, Costa Rica. After a meeting with the team members, they decided to name the club after the person who helped pay for their uniforms: Don Ricardo Saprissa Aymá. That's how they became "Saprissa F.C." and joined the Costa Rican Third Division.
In 1947, with more help from Ricardo Saprissa and great coaching from Francisco García, Los Morados won the Costa Rican Third Division Championship. They kept winning! In 1948, they were promoted to the Costa Rican Second Division and won that championship too. This meant they moved up to the top league, the Primera División de Costa Rica. Saprissa played their first game in the top league on August 21, 1949, and they have stayed there ever since.
Becoming a Professional Powerhouse (1948-1990s)
In March 1959, Deportivo Saprissa did something amazing. They became the first Latin American football team to travel all around the world! They played 22 games in 6 countries and 3 colonial areas. They won 14 games, tied one, and lost 7. This trip showed the world how good they were.
Back in Costa Rica, Saprissa earned the nickname "Team of the Century." This was because they played in 50 Costa Rican Championships. They also set an incredible record by winning six national championships in a row! This happened between 1972 and 1977. No other team in Costa Rica has done this. Only Olimpia from Paraguay shares this record in the Americas.
On August 15, 1961, Saprissa played against the famous Real Madrid team. This game took place in the old Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica. Real Madrid had legendary players like Ferenc Puskás, Alfredo Di Stéfano, and Paco Gento. Real Madrid won the match 4–2.
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, many Saprissa players were also key members of the Costa Rica national football team. This national team achieved something special at the 1990 FIFA World Cup in Italy. Against what many expected, Costa Rica reached the second round. They even beat strong teams like Scotland and Sweden.
Saprissa's Modern Achievements (2000-Present)
Since the year 2000, Saprissa has continued to make history both in Costa Rica and internationally. One of their biggest achievements was finishing third in the 2005 FIFA Club World Championship. They qualified for this tournament by winning the 2005 CONCACAF Champions' Cup. In the Club World Championship, they beat Sydney FC 1–0 in the quarter-finals. They then lost 3–0 to Liverpool in the semifinals. But they bounced back to win the third-place match 3–2 against Al-Ittihad. Álvaro Saborío was one of the top scorers in that tournament.
On August 4, 2012, Saprissa played another big international friendly. They faced Atlético de Madrid at their home stadium, the Estadio Ricardo Saprissa Aymá. The match ended in a 0–0 draw. This game was part of Atlético's tour in America.
Saprissa has also continued to dominate in their home country. They have won a total of 39 national titles, making them the team with the most championships in Costa Rica. This includes a fantastic three-time championship win from 2022 to 2023. They have also signed important new players like Kendall Waston, Mariano Torres, and Kevin Chamorro. Winning their 50th major title with the three-time championship made Saprissa one of the top 30 most title-winning teams in the world!
