Gomez is a perfect example of the archetypal Costa Rican striker. Quick and good in the air, he combines a clinical eye for goal with a thunderous left-foot. In another similarity with fellow Tico legends Hernan Medford and Paulo Wanchope, Ronald has shown his talent across the world.

Having come up through the youth ranks at humble Carmelita, he was to move to Costa Rican giants Alajuelense. Unfortunately for the Rojinegro fans, the striker was quickly snapped up by Spanish side Sporting Gijon at the age of 22, the first step on a globetrotting football career.

European journey
Following a brief spell in Spain, his next port of call was the idyllic surroundings of the Greek island of Crete, with local side OFI. The striker wasted no time in adapting to Greek football and soon became the team’s undisputed star player. His exploits included helping save his club from relegation, taking on sides from across Europe in the UEFA Cup, and giving the traditional Greek superpowers Panathinaikos, AEK and Olympiakos a run for their money.

But Greece was by no means the last stop on his world tour. He returned to Spain to play for Hercules of Alicante, flew to Mexico to represent Irapuato, and banged in the goals for Comunicaciones in Guatemala, before a move to Saprissa in the Costa Rican capital of San Jose completed the circle.

Wherever the 31-year-old has played, Gomez has always delivered, scoring every kind of goal imaginable and always when needed most. Gomez may be a deadly striker, but his technical ability and vision have also seen him perform admirably as a support striker and in a creative midfield role. Truly, he has quite a lot to offer.