Costa Rica punches above its weight in producing wealthy footballers. Keylor Navas stands as the nation’s richest player with $13 million accumulated through Real Madrid, PSG, and Italian Serie A contracts.
The 2014 World Cup quarter-final run elevated Costa Rican player profiles internationally. European clubs began offering competitive contracts to Tico talent, transforming earning potential for the nation’s footballers.
Discover more about Costa Rican football stars and compare with other soccer players net worth through our detailed player profiles.
| Goalkeeper | Defender | Midfielder | Forward |
| Keylor Navas | Francisco Calvo | Orlando Galo | Manfred Ugalde |
| Patrick Sequeira | Juan Pablo Vargas | Brandon Aguilera | Joel Campbell |
| Esteban Alvarado | Jeyland Mitchell | Suhander Zúñiga | Álvaro Zamora |
| Alexander Lezcano | Gerald Taylor | Alejandro Bran | Andy Rojas |
| Joseph Mora | Celso Borges | Alonso Martínez | |
| Fernán Faerrón | Jefferson Brenes | Josimar Alcócer | |
| Alexis Gamboa | Roan Wilson | Kenneth Vargas | |
| Juan Vargas | Daniel Chacón | Ariel Lassiter | |
| Francisco Calvo | Yeltsin Tejeda | Randy Vega | |
| Carlos Martínez | Luis Díaz | Anthony Contreras | |
| Keysher Fuller | Johan Venegas | ||
| Bryan Oviedo | Bruno Petkovic | ||
| Kendall Watson | |||
| Cristian Gamboa |
10 Richest Football Players in Costa Rica
Costa Rica’s wealthiest players built fortunes primarily through European leagues, with Keylor Navas’ legendary goalkeeper career setting the benchmark.
| Player Name | Annual Salary | Estimated Net Worth | Current Status |
| Keylor Navas | $4 million | $13 million | Newell’s Old Boys (Active) |
| Bryan Ruiz | N/A | $13 million | Retired |
| Joel Campbell | $1.2 million | $8 million | Active |
| Celso Borges | $900,000 | $7 million | Active |
| Francisco Calvo | $876,760 | $5 million | Konyaspor (Active) |
| Kendall Waston | $650,000 | £2.5 million | Active |
| Giancarlo González | N/A | $4 million | Retired |
| Christian Bolaños | N/A | $3.5 million | Retired |
| Óscar Duarte | $700,000 | $4 million | Active |
| Anthony Contreras | $550,000 | $3 million | Active |
Navas earned his fortune through Champions League glory at Real Madrid, where his three consecutive titles established him among Europe’s elite goalkeepers.
Costa Rica National Team Payment Structure
The Costa Rican Football Federation (FEDEFUTBOL) compensates players through modest match fees plus tournament performance bonuses.
National Team Earnings:
- World Cup Qualifiers: $3,000-$5,000 per match
- CONCACAF competitions: $4,000-$7,000 per game with win bonuses
- Friendly matches: $2,000-$3,000 per appearance
- Major tournament bonuses: Six-figure payments for World Cup participation
- Performance incentives: Escalating bonuses for tournament advancement
Costa Rica’s 2014 World Cup quarter-final generated approximately $2 million in bonuses distributed among the squad. Each player earned roughly $100,000-$150,000 in total tournament payments.
Liga FPD Salaries vs. International Opportunities
Costa Rica’s domestic Liga FPD pays minimal salaries compared to global standards. Top domestic players earn $30,000-$80,000 annually, forcing elite talent toward MLS and European moves.
| Competition | Average Salary | Example Player | Career Potential |
| Liga FPD | $30,000-$80,000 | Domestic stars | $1-2M over career |
| MLS | $400,000-$2M | Costa Ricans abroad | $10-20M over career |
| European Mid-Tier | $800,000-$3M | Francisco Calvo | $15-30M over career |
| European Elite | $3-5M | Keylor Navas (peak) | $50M+ over career |
The wage gap pushes promising prospects to leave by age 21-23. Players can multiply earnings 10-20 times through MLS or European transfers.
How Costa Rican Players Accumulate Wealth
Costa Rican footballers build wealth primarily through strategic moves to MLS or Europe’s secondary leagues. Most cannot command Premier League salaries but find lucrative opportunities in Turkey, Mexico, and MLS.
Primary Income Sources:
- European second-tier contracts ($500,000-$2M annually)
- MLS designated player deals
- National team tournament bonuses
- Limited endorsement opportunities within Costa Rica
- Real estate investments in San José
Keylor Navas maximized his peak years at Real Madrid, earning approximately $4 million yearly while winning three Champions League titles. His career trajectory remains exceptional rather than typical for Costa Rican players.
FAQs
1. Who is the richest Costa Rican footballer?
Keylor Navas and Bryan Ruiz share this distinction, both with $13 million net worth. Navas built his fortune through Real Madrid and PSG contracts, while Ruiz earned wealth across Portuguese, Dutch, and Brazilian leagues.
2. What is Keylor Navas’ salary?
Navas currently earns approximately $4 million annually. During his Real Madrid peak, he earned similar amounts plus Champions League bonuses that significantly boosted yearly income.
3. How much do Costa Rica national team players earn per match?
Costa Rican players receive $3,000-$7,000 per match depending on competition importance. World Cup and Gold Cup matches pay substantially more than friendlies, with tournament progression bonuses reaching six figures.
4. What is the average salary in Liga FPD?
Costa Rica’s domestic league pays between $30,000-$80,000 annually for top players. Most players earn closer to $20,000-$40,000, making professional football financially challenging without international opportunities.
5. Why do Costa Rican players leave for MLS and Europe?
The salary differential is enormous. A Liga FPD player earning $50,000 can immediately jump to $500,000-$1 million in MLS or European leagues, making overseas moves essential for building substantial career wealth.
