Óscar Duarte is a professional footballer known for his role as a centre-back.
Duarte was born in Nicaragua but represents the Costa Rica national team in international competitions.
He began his professional career at Deportivo Saprissa, where he played from 2008 to 2013.
Biography
Early Life
Óscar Esaú Duarte Gaitán was born in Catarina, Masaya, Nicaragua, and he has a unique heritage that allows him to represent both Nicaragua and Costa Rica in football. His early life in Nicaragua laid the foundation for his future career in professional football.
Career
Duarte began his professional journey with Deportivo Saprissa in Costa Rica, where he made 52 appearances from 2008 to 2013. His impressive performances earned him a move to Club Brugge in Belgium, where he played from 2013 to 2016. In January 2016, he transferred to RCD Espanyol in Spain, where he had a challenging start, including an own goal in his debut match. Despite this, he managed to score once during his tenure at the club.
In August 2019, Duarte joined Levante UD, where he faced injuries but still made significant contributions, including scoring key goals. After leaving Levante in 2022, he signed with Al-Wehda FC in Saudi Arabia, continuing his professional career. As of 2024, he returned to Deportivo Saprissa, marking a full-circle moment in his career.
Duarte's international career is notable as well; he made his debut for the Costa Rica national team in 2010 and was part of the squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, where he became the first Nicaragua-born player to compete in a World Cup. He scored his first international goal in a memorable match against Uruguay during the tournament. Duarte also represented Costa Rica in the 2018 FIFA World Cup, further solidifying his legacy in international football.
Collected from open sources (3) · facts link to sources · AI-processed
Gallery
Career & Clubs
Club
As of match played 22 May 2024
International
As of match played 25 March 2023
Scores and results list Costa Rica's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Duarte goal.
Early career
Duarte was born in Catarina, Masaya, Nicaragua. After making 52 appearances in five years at Costa Rican club Deportivo Saprissa, Duarte joined Club Brugge in the Belgian Pro League in 2013.
Espanyol
On 26 January 2016, Duarte agreed a permanent transfer to RCD Espanyol in Spain. The three-year deal cost the club €1.15 million and included a buyout clause of €15 million. He made his debut five days later, coming on at half time and scoring an own goal in a 6–0 loss at Real Madrid. In his next game on 14 February, he scored his only goal in 57 games for the club from Barcelona, opening a 2–1 loss at Valencia CF.
Levante
Duarte moved to fellow La Liga team Levante UD on 1 August 2019, on a two-year deal, though the signing was not registered for three more weeks due to UEFA Financial Fair Play Regulations. His first season in the city of Valencia was marred by serious injuries; on 21 January 2020 he scored his first goal to equalise in a 3–1 loss at Sevilla FC in the last 32 of the Copa del Rey. He missed only three league games in 2020–21, scoring in two minutes to open a 4–3 home win over Real Betis on 29 December. On 30 April 2021, Duarte added another year to his Levante contract by playing his 26th game of the season, against RC Celta de Vigo. He chose to let his deal expire in May 2022.
Al-Wehda
On 24 June 2022, Duarte joined Saudi Arabian club Al-Wehda.
He was eligible to play for Nicaragua through his mother's family, and Costa Rica through his father's family. Duarte made his debut for the Costa Rica national team against Jamaica on 17 November 2010 and played for the team at the 2011 Copa Centroamericana, where they lost to Honduras in the final. In June 2014, Duarte was named in Costa Rica's squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, becoming the first Nicaragua-born player at a World Cup finals. In the team's opening match, he scored his first goal for Los Ticos in a 3–1 defeat of Uruguay. In their second match, the team beat Italy, a 1–0 win that qualified Costa Rica for the knockout stage. Costa Rica completed the group stage unbeaten, recording a second consecutive clean sheet in a 0–0 draw with England in Belo Horizonte. On 29 June, Duarte was sent off for receiving two yellow cards in Costa Rica's round of 16 match against Greece. The team advanced via a penalty shootout to the quarter-finals for the first time in their history, where they lost on penalties to the Netherlands. In May 2018 he was named in Costa Rica's 23-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
- Club
- Deportivo Saprissa (2008–2013)
- Club
- Puntarenas F.C. (2010–2010)
- Club
- Club Brugge K.V. (2013–2016)
- Club
- RCD Espanyol de Barcelona (2016–2019)
- Club
- Levante UD (2019–2022)
- Club
- Costa Rica Olympic football team (2011–2011)
- Club
- Costa Rica men's national football team (2010–2023)
- Club
- Deportivo Saprissa (2024–)
- National team
- Costa Rica
- Club
- Al Wehda FC (2022–2024)
Legacy
Saprissa
Costa Rican Primera División: Clausura 2008, Apertura 2008 Brugge
Belgian Pro League: 2015–16 Belgian Cup: 2014–15
Clubs
- Deportivo Saprissa2024current
- Deportivo Saprissa2008–2013
- Costa Rica men's national football team2010–2023
- Puntarenas F.C.2010–2010
- Costa Rica Olympic football team2011–2011
- Club Brugge K.V.2013–2016
- RCD Espanyol de Barcelona2016–2019
- Levante UD2019–2022
- Al Wehda FC2022–2024
Played together with
Aarón MartínRCD Espanyol de Barcelona · 2016–2019
Abby ErcegRCD Espanyol de Barcelona · 2009–2010
Abdelkader GhezzalLevante UD · 2012–2012
Abdoulay DiabyClub Brugge K.V. · 2015–2018- Abdulaziz KhathranAl Wehda FC · 2009–2011
Abdulelah Al-AmriAl Wehda FC · 2018–2019- Abdulellah Al-MalkiAl Wehda FC · 2015–2019
- Abdullah Al-HafithAl Wehda FC · 2020
Abdullah Al-SudairyAl Wehda FC · 2016–2017- Abel MatutesRCD Espanyol de Barcelona
Abelardo FernándezRCD Espanyol de Barcelona- Abraham González CasanovaRCD Espanyol de Barcelona · 2013–2016
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Óscar Esaú Duarte Gaitán is a professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Saprissa. Born in Nicaragua, he represents the Costa Rica national team.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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