Cuban Luis Paradela Crowned Champion in Costa Rican Football

November 7, 2022

"I was clear that Saprissa is the Real Madrid of Central America. Since I entered international football I knew I wanted to come here," he assured.

Cuban footballer Luis Paradela was crowned champion of Costa Rican football after his team, Saprissa, defeated Club Sport Herediano of the tico league 2-1. The purple club thus achieved its 37th national title and Paradela greatly enjoyed the celebrations.

"Today we are champions, grateful to this institution that brought me to the biggest team in Central America. At the international level it's the first, thank God it's been with this club, I have to thank my family, all the fans who are always there supporting us and Saprissa club," declared the player to the tico newspaper El Mundo.

Paradela added that this club is like "the Real Madrid of Central America" and that it was with them that he wanted to play.

"Since I entered international football I knew I wanted to come here, I wanted to be here and now that I'm here it tastes like victory," affirmed the Cuban footballer.

The Cuban was recognized as one of "the great heroes" of Saprissa's 37th title due to his athletic performance this season in the "Apertura 2022," but he said he also felt proud of the path that Cubans are carving out in football in Costa Rica.

In a recent conversation with the sports network ESPN, Paradela expressed feeling "super happy with the Cubans who have done things well here." He spoke of Marcel Hernández, whom he described as "an idol" for him, and defender Yoisel Piedra.

"We have shown that there is good football in Cuba, and they should just trust us. I'm not a natural 9, that's true, I score goals, and that's what best characterizes me, the drive, the commitment," he expressed.

Paradela added that his family in Cuba has to perform "tricks" or go to a park to "connect to the Internet" to watch some of his matches in Costa Rica.

"Well, they're doing the impossible to be able to watch it, especially my dad who lives in a remote area in Cuba, so the connection isn't that good, it's a bit bad over there," he lamented.

He also explained that recently it's been possible to watch through an application, but since it's "all satellite, it's poor quality," plus "the power goes out a lot, and the connection gets worse."

"My mom sometimes tells me she could see the first half well, then the second half so-so," he detailed.

"It's something that moves me, knowing that my family is there doing almost the impossible to be able to watch me play. I'm super happy, that's something we had in mind, the championship came through, I'm speechless," concluded the Cuban goalscorer for Saprissa.