FIFA World Cup 2018: Costa Rica’s Senior-Most Player Celso Borges And His Unique Connection With Ranbir Kapoor, Indian Football

Borges the old warhorse is the most experienced Costa Rican in Russia and a lot will ride on his shoulders as this could very well be his last appearance at a World Cup.

Author: India.com Sports Desk Edited by: Ankit Banerjee

Updated: June 18, 2018, 11:28 AM IST

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Costa Rica

Did you know India too had a distant connection to the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2018 in Russia. The connection is with Costa Rica’s senior-most player Celso Borges. So what is the unique connection? Borges’ father Alexandre Guimaraes, a former World Cup player himself, is the manager of Mumbai City FC in the Indian Super League and has led them in the past two ISL seasons. Actor Ranbir Kapoor is the owner of the western franchisee in Indian Super League. Also, Indian captain Sunil Chhetri plays for the same club.

Costa Rica would be no pushovers this time in Russia. They bagged the numero uno spot in a group comprising of Italy, England and Uruguay in the last World Cup, that is when no one expected such results. Their 2018 campaign has not got of to the best of starts after they lost to Serbia 1-0 in their opener. That loss meant their campaign has not yet sparked off and they would hope it does soon.

Borges the old warhorse is the most experienced Costa Rican in Russia and a lot will ride on his shoulders as this could very well be his last appearance at a World Cup. He has 112 international caps to his name, which also makes him the fourth highest Costa Rican in terms of international appearances made. Borges’ father is none other Alexandre Guimarães, who has represented Costa Rica in the 1990 World Cup. He has also coached the team in two different spells.

Age is taking its toll on most of these Costa Ricans, its like they have been there for years… the likes of Ruiz, Bolanos, Celso Borges et al. They have lost their mojo, They no longer have the sparks that made them a force to be reckoned with in 2014 WC. #COSSER #WorldCup2018

— Six Mzazi Jembe (@Majeybeka) June 17, 2018

He has also been successful with the Mumbai FC franchise in the ISL. In his first season as coach, he led Mumbai FC to top the table, Diego Costa was in Mumbai FC then. In 2017-18 season Mumbai FC finished 7th out of 10 teams.