Alex Sánchez Cruz

Alex Sánchez Cruz (July 20, 1930 – December 5, 2025) was a Costa Rican footballer who played as a wing-back.

Early life Sánchez was born in Naranjo in Costa Rica's Alajuela province. Sánchez started his soccer career at the early age of 10 playing in the Minor League for the Deportivo Saprissa. 1953 and 1957.

International career By 1950, Sánchez had earned a spot on the Costa Rica national team. His debut was in the VI Juegos Centroamericanos y del Caribe played in Guatemala. In 1951, he was called once again to play for the National Team at the 1951 Pan American Games, During just one game he played in three different positions: left wingback, right wingback, and centre back. His versatility earned him the Most Valuable Player trophy.

In 1958, Sánchez participated in the qualifying matches for the 1958 FIFA World Cup held in Sweden. Costa Rica lost a best-of-two series against Mexico, and missed the chance to go on to participate in the FIFA World Cup. He earned a total of 32 caps, scoring no goals.

Highlights Costa Rica National Championship in 1952, 1953, and 1957 with the Deportivo Saprissa. Champion at the Juegos Centroamericanos y del Caribe in 1955, 1959 and 1963 with the Costa Rica National Team. Second place at the Pan American Games (Buenos Aires 1951) and third place at the Pan American Championship (Mexico City 1956) with the Costa Rica National Team. World Soccer Tour in 1959 with the Deportivo Saprissa visiting Curaçao, Aruba, Venezuela, Portugal, the Netherlands, Austria, Italy, Israel, Thailand, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Philippines, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Hawaii, United States, and Mexico. The tour totaled 22 games and the Deportivo Saprissa finished the tour with a 14–1–7 record. Part of the Chaparritos de Oro. The nickname was coined by the Mexican press.

Personal life and death Sánchez married Sara Arroyo in March 1953. The couple had four children and 10 grandchildren. He resided in San José, Costa Rica, and died on December 5, 2025, at the age of 95.