Alexandre Borges Guimaraes Costa Rican footballer and coach Date of Birth: 07.11.1959

1. Alexandre Guimarães: The Costa Rican Maestro
2. Early Life and Club Career
3. International Career
4. Coaching Career: Saprissa and the National Team
5. International Legacy
6. Personal Life and Current Endeavors

Alexandre Guimarães: The Costa Rican Maestro

Alexandre Guimarães, a Costa Rican of Brazilian descent, is a legendary figure in football for his achievements with the Costa Rican national team in the 2000s.

Early Life and Club Career

Born in Brazil, Guimarães moved to Costa Rica in 1971 with his family. He quickly developed a passion for football and began his career with Durpanel San Blas in 1979. After playing for Municipal Puntarenas, he joined Saprissa in 1982. With Saprissa, he won three national championships before ending his playing career in 1992 with Turrialba.

International Career

In 1984, Guimarães became a Costa Rican citizen and joined the national team. He made 16 appearances, including three at the 1990 FIFA World Cup.

Coaching Career: Saprissa and the National Team

Following his playing career, Guimarães became a coach. He worked in lower leagues and as an assistant for Saprissa before becoming head coach in 2000. At Saprissa, he won two league titles and a CONCACAF Champions League trophy.

In 2001, Guimarães took over the Costa Rican national team. After a successful qualifying campaign, he led them to the 2002 FIFA World Cup. He repeated his success in 2006, qualifying the team for the second time.

International Legacy

Guimarães's achievements with the Costa Rican national team made him a national hero. He is credited with bringing success and stability to the team during a critical period. Despite failing to advance past the group stage in both World Cups, his legacy remains one of respect and admiration.

Personal Life and Current Endeavors

In his spare time, Guimarães enjoys reading, playing tennis, and writing sports stories. He guards his privacy fiercely and rarely speaks about his personal life. His son, Celso Borges, is a professional footballer who currently plays for the Costa Rican national team.

In 2006, Guimarães became head coach of the Panama national team. After a brief stint, he moved to the Middle East in 2009 to coach Al Wasl.