View source for Walter Centeno

{{Short description|Costa Rican footballer (born 1974)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2021}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Wálter Centeno Corea
| image = Walter Centeno 2016.jpg
| caption = Centeno with Saprissa in 2016
| alt = 
| fullname = Wálter Centeno Corea<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifadata.com/document/fwc/2006/PDF/FWC_2006_SquadLists.pdf |title=2006 FIFA World Cup Germany: List of Players: Costa Rica |publisher=FIFA |page=5 |date=21 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190610174527/https://www.fifadata.com/document/fwc/2006/PDF/FWC_2006_SquadLists.pdf |archive-date=10 June 2019}}</ref>
| height = 1.74 m<ref>{{cite web |title=FIFA Club World Championship Japan 2005 – Official Rosters |url=http://www.fifa.com/documents/tournaments/cwc/CWC_2005_sl-latest.xls |website=FIFA.com |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |date=4 December 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051219093824/http://www.fifa.com/documents/tournaments/cwc/CWC_2005_sl-latest.xls |archive-date=19 December 2005 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1974|10|6}}
| birth_place = [[Palmar Sur]], Costa Rica
| currentclub = [[Guadalupe F.C.|Guadalupe]] (manager)
| clubnumber = 
| position = [[Attacking midfielder]]
| youthyears1 = 
| youthclubs1 = Compañeros de Tibás
| years1 = 1995–2002
| clubs1 = [[Deportivo Saprissa|Saprissa]]
| caps1 = 152
| goals1 = 18
| years2 = 1995–1996
| clubs2 = → [[A.D. Belén|Belén]] (loan)
| caps2 = 52
| goals2 = 3
| years3 = 2002–2003
| clubs3 = [[AEK Athens F.C.|AEK Athens]]
| caps3 = 14
| goals3 = 2
| years4 = 2003–2012
| clubs4 = [[Deportivo Saprissa|Saprissa]]
| caps4 = 251
| goals4 = 47
| years5 = 2013
| clubs5 = [[Bayamón F.C.|Bayamón]]
| caps5 = 11
| goals5 = 3
| totalcaps = 480
| totalgoals = 72
| nationalyears1 = 1995–2009
| nationalteam1 = [[Costa Rica national football team|Costa Rica]]
| nationalcaps1 = 137 <!-- When you update this parameter, please update the ntupdate parameter! -->
| nationalgoals1 = 24 <!-- When you update this parameter, please update the ntupdate parameter! -->
| manageryears1 = 2015–2016
| managerclubs1 = [[Puntarenas F.C.|Puntarenas]]
| manageryears2 = 2016–2019
| managerclubs2 = [[Municipal Grecia]]
| manageryears3 = 2019–2021
| managerclubs3 = [[Deportivo Saprissa|Saprissa]]
| manageryears4 = 2021–
| managerclubs4 = [[Guadalupe F.C.|Guadalupe]]
}}

{{family name hatnote|Centeno|Corea|lang=Spanish}}
'''Wálter Centeno Corea''' (born 6 October 1974) is a Costa Rican former professional [[association football|footballer]] who played as an [[attacking midfielder]] and current manager of [[Santos de Guapiles]].

He was a regular member of the [[Costa Rica national football team|Costa Rica national team]] and holds the record for appearances, having gained 137 caps (135 FIFA official caps) and scored 24 goals.

==Club career==

===Saprissa===
Nicknamed ''Paté'', Centeno started his career at [[Deportivo Saprissa|Saprissa]], who loaned him out to [[A.D. Belén|Belén]] for whom he made his professional debut on 4 February 1995 against [[L.D. Alajuelense|Alajuelense]]. He scored his first goal on 3 September 1995 for Belén against Turrialba.<ref name="Bio">[http://www.crhoy.com/pate-centeno-se-despidio-de-la-aficion-junto-con-sus-amigos/ “Paté” Centeno se despidió de la afición junto con sus amigos] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303234152/http://www.crhoy.com/pate-centeno-se-despidio-de-la-aficion-junto-con-sus-amigos/ |date=3 March 2016 }} - CRHoy {{in lang|es}}</ref> He earned his nickname in his childhood due to his love for eating pate's.<ref>[http://www.mediotiempo.com/futbol/internacional/noticias/2012/05/23/walter-pate-centeno-anuncio-su-retiro Walter 'Paté' Centeno anunció su retiro] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160827201557/http://www.mediotiempo.com/futbol/internacional/noticias/2012/05/23/walter-pate-centeno-anuncio-su-retiro |date=27 August 2016 }} - Mediotiempo {{in lang|es}}</ref>

===AEK Athens===
After seven years at Saprissa Centeno had a short spell abroad when he moved to [[Greece]] to play for [[AEK Athens F.C.|AEK Athens]].<ref>[http://www.aldia.cr/futbol-internacional/mas/AEK-Walter_Centeno-Mauricio_Wright_1_119998000.html Walter "Paté" Centeno jugó con el AEK de Atenas el año 2002.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130617182743/http://aldia.cr/futbol-internacional/mas/AEK-Walter_Centeno-Mauricio_Wright_1_119998000.html |date=17 June 2013 }} - Al Día {{in lang|es}}</ref> While playing for AEK, he participated in the [[UEFA Champions League]] Group Stage managing to score in the team's away home draws against [[Real Madrid CF|Real Madrid]] at [[Estadio Santiago Bernabéu]] in the 2–2 draw and [[A.S. Roma|Roma]] at [[Stadio Olimpico]] in 1–1 draw, as they achieved the record of drawing all the matches of the group stage.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sport24.gr/football/12-11-2003-oloklironetai-i-aittiti-poreia-tis-aek-sta-asteria.8120430.html|title=12/11/2003: Ολοκληρώνεται η αήττητη πορεία της ΑΕΚ στα 'αστέρια'|website=sport24.gr|access-date=4 August 2022|archive-date=18 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230418065414/https://www.sport24.gr/football/12-11-2003-oloklironetai-i-aittiti-poreia-tis-aek-sta-asteria.8120430.html|url-status=live}}</ref> After one season, Centeno filed an appeal for debts of club to him and was released.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.kitrinomavro.gr/aekpedia/2015/05/24/%CE%B2%CE%AC%CE%BB%CF%84%CE%B5%CF%81-%CF%83%CE%B5%CE%BD%CF%84%CE%AD%CE%BD%CE%BF/|title=Βάλτερ Σεντένο|website=kitrinomavro.gr|access-date=4 August 2022|archive-date=4 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220804165347/http://www.kitrinomavro.gr/aekpedia/2015/05/24/%CE%B2%CE%AC%CE%BB%CF%84%CE%B5%CF%81-%CF%83%CE%B5%CE%BD%CF%84%CE%AD%CE%BD%CE%BF/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Back at Saprissa===
He returned to Saprissa, where he was named the best player of the 2003–04 Costa Rican season by the Costa Rican sports media, after scoring nine goals while orchestrating Saprissa's offense, helping the team to win the league.

With Saprissa, he won 10 national championships and one [[CONCACAF Champions Cup]], winning the title with a 3–2 aggregate win over Mexico's [[UNAM Pumas]] in the final. He was part of the team that played the [[2005 FIFA Club World Championship]],<ref name="FIFA" /> where [[Saprissa]] finished third behind [[São Paulo Futebol Clube|São Paulo]] and [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]]. His appearance at this tournament was considered as outstanding by [[FIFA]] experts.

He retired in 2012, his final league match was on 5 May 2012 for Saprissa against [[Santos de Guápiles]].<ref name="Bio" /> Saprissa retired the no. 8 shirt in his honour as well as definitely retiring the no. 10 shirt of [[Alonso Solís]].<ref>[http://www.nacion.com/deportes/futbol-costa-rica/Centeno-escogera-companeros-juego-hoy_0_1281872065.html Centeno escogerá a sus compañeros en juego de hoy] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816182648/http://www.nacion.com/deportes/futbol-costa-rica/Centeno-escogera-companeros-juego-hoy_0_1281872065.html |date=16 August 2016 }} - Nación {{in lang|es}}</ref>

===Puerto Rico===
In April 2013, Centeno came out of retirement to join Puerto Rican side [[Bayamón F.C.|Bayamón]].<ref>[http://www.nacion.com/deportes/futbol-costa-rica/Walter-Centeno-Bayamon-Puerto-Rico_0_1337266296.html Walter Centeno regresa al futbol con el Bayamón F. C. de Puerto Rico] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160816130038/http://www.nacion.com/deportes/futbol-costa-rica/Walter-Centeno-Bayamon-Puerto-Rico_0_1337266296.html |date=16 August 2016 }} - Nación {{in lang|es}}</ref>

==International career==
Centeno played his first game for the [[Costa Rica national football team]] on 27 September 1995 against [[Jamaica national football team|Jamaica]].<ref>[http://wvw.nacion.com/ln_ee/2009/julio/20/deportes2032402.html Walter Centeno quedó fuera de Copa de Oro por esguince (with bio)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304060642/http://wvw.nacion.com/ln_ee/2009/julio/20/deportes2032402.html |date=4 March 2016 }} - Nación {{in lang|es}}</ref> He has been a fixture for the team for the last thirteen years, playing in the [[Pan American Games]] held in [[Mar del Plata]], [[Argentina]], in [[1995 Pan American Games|1995]]; the [[Copa América]] tournaments of [[1997 Copa América|1997]],<ref>[https://www.rsssf.org/tables/97safull.html Copa América 1997] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120524153826/http://www.rsssf.com/tables/97safull.html |date=24 May 2012 }} - RSSSF</ref> [[2001 Copa América|2001]]<ref>[http://www.rsssf.com/tables/01safull.html Copa América 2001]{{dead link|date=February 2023|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} - RSSSF</ref> and [[2004 Copa América|2004]];<ref>[http://www.rsssf.com/tables/04safull.html Copa América 2004]{{dead link|date=February 2023|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} - RSSSF</ref> plus the [[FIFA World Cup]] in [[FIFA World Cup 2002|2002]] and [[FIFA World Cup 2006|2006]].<ref name="FIFA">{{FIFA player|178004}}</ref> On 1 April 2009, he surpassed the record of caps for Costa Rica (held then by [[Luis Marín Murillo|Luis Marín]], 124 caps, 5 goals) as at 18 November 2009 he has 137 caps and 24 goals.<ref>{{cite web|author=Mamrud, Roberto|title=Walter Centeno Corea – Century of International Appearances|website=[[RSSSF]]|url=https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/centeno-intl.html|access-date=12 May 2009|archive-date=8 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231008072458/https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/centeno-intl.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He was the captain of Costa Rica national football team for the last part of [[2010 FIFA World Cup qualification]]s. [[Rodrigo Kenton]], the appointed manager replacing the fired [[Hernan Medford]], chose him for covering this important role in the team because of his experience, hardening and leadership. Centeno played his last game on the national team on 18 November 2009, where they tied 1–1, in which he scored. The game meant that Costa Rica will not be in [[World Cup 2010]]. Centeno's goal was his last with as an International player, and it also marked the last goal of the [[2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying]] stage.

Shortly after that game, he announced his quitting from national team.

==Personal life==
Centeno is a son of Benigno Centeno and Lidieth Corea and he is married to Vivian Gutiérrez with whom he has three children.

==Career statistics==
:''Scores and results list Costa Rica's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Centeno goal''.

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ List of international goals scored by Walter Centeno
|-
!scope="col"|No.
!scope="col"|Date
!scope="col"|Venue
!scope="col"|Opponent
!scope="col"|Score
!scope="col"|Result
!scope="col"|Competition
|-
| align="center"|1 || 24 February 1999 || [[San José, Costa Rica|San José]], Costa Rica || {{fb|JAM}} || || align="center"|9–0 || [[Exhibition game|Friendly]]
|-
| align="center"|2 || 25 November 1999 || [[Alajuela]], Costa Rica || {{fb|SVK}} || || align="center"|4–0 || Friendly
|-
| align="center"|3 || 1 July 2000 || Alajuela, Costa Rica || {{fb|PAN}} || || align="center"|5–1 || Friendly
|-
| align="center"|4 || 30 May 2001 || [[San Pedro Sula]], Honduras || {{fb|PAN}} || || align="center"|2–1 || [[2001 UNCAF Nations Cup]]
|-
| align="center"|5 || 3 June 2001 || San Pedro Sula, Honduras || {{fb|SLV}} || || align="center"|1–1 || 2001 UNCAF Nations Cup
|-
| align="center"|6 || 26 January 2001 || Miami, United States || {{fb|HAI}} || || align="center"|2–1 || [[2002 CONCACAF Gold Cup]]
|-
| align="center"|7|| 9 May 2002 || [[San Salvador]], El Salvador || {{fb|COL}} || || align="center"|1–2 || Friendly
|-
| align="center"|8 || 13 February 2003 || [[Panama City]], Panama|| {{fb|GUA}} || || align="center"|1–1 || [[2003 UNCAF Nations Cup]]
|-
| align="center"|9 || 16 July 2003 || Boston, United States || {{fb|CUB}} || || align="center"|3–0 || [[2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup]]
|-
| align="center"|10 || rowspan="3"|19 July 2003 || rowspan="3"|Boston, United States || rowspan="3"|{{fb|SLV}} || || rowspan="3" align="center"|5–2 || rowspan="3"|2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup
|-
| align="center"|11 ||
|-
| align="center"|12 ||
|-
| align="center"|13 || 12 January 2005 || San José, Costa Rica || {{fb|HAI}} || || align="center"|3–3 || Friendly
|-
| align="center"|14 || 3 September 2005 || Panama City, Panama || {{fb|PAN}} || || align="center"|3–1 || [[2006 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONCACAF)]]
|-
| align="center"|15|| 7 September 2005 || San José, Costa Rica || {{fb|TRI}} || || align="center"|2–0 || 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONCACAF)
|-
| align="center"|16 || 6 June 2007|| Miami, United States || {{fb|CAN}} || || align="center"|1–2 || [[2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup]]
|-
| align="center"|17 || 9 June 2007 || Miami, United States || {{fb|HAI}} || || align="center"|1–1 || 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup
|-
| align="center"|18 || 11 June 2007 || Miami, United States || {{fb|GLP|local}} || || align="center"|1–0|| 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup
|-
| align="center"|19 || 17 October 2007 || San José, Costa Rica || {{fb|HAI}} || || align="center"|1–1 || Friendly
|-
| align="center"|20 || 11 October 2008 || [[Paramaribo]], Suriname || {{fb|SUR}} || || align="center"|4–1 || [[2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONCACAF)]]
|-
| align="center"|21|| 1 April 2009 || San José, Costa Rica || {{fb|SLV}} || || align="center"|1–0 || 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONCACAF)
|-
| align="center"|22 || 10 July 2009 || Florida, United States || {{fb|CAN}} || || align="center"|2–2 || [[2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup]]
|-
| align="center"|23 || 10 October 2009|| San José, Costa Rica || {{fb|TRI}} || || align="center"|4–0 || 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONCACAF)
|-
| align="center"|24 || 18 November 2009 || [[Montevideo]], Uruguay || {{fb|URU}} || || align="center"|1–1|| 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONCACAF)
|}

== Honours ==
'''Deportivo Saprissa'''
* [[Primera División de Costa Rica]] (10): 1997–98, 1998–99, 2003–04, [[2005–06 Primera División (Costa Rica)|2005–06]], [[2006–07 Primera División (Costa Rica)|2006–07]], 2007 Apertura, 2008 Clausura-Invierno, Verano-Apertura 2008, Campeonato de Verano-Clausura 2010
* [[CONCACAF Champions' Cup]]: [[CONCACAF Champions' Cup 2005|2005]]
* [[Copa Interclubes UNCAF]]: [[Torneo Grandes de Centroamerica 1998|1998]], [[Copa Interclubes UNCAF 2003|2003]]
* [[FIFA Club World Cup]] third place: [[2005 FIFA Club World Championship|2005]]

'''Costa Rica'''
* [[CONCACAF Gold Cup]]: runner-up [[2002 CONCACAF Gold Cup|2002]]
* [[UNCAF Nations Cup]]: [[1999 UNCAF Nations Cup|1999]], 2003, [[2007 UNCAF Nations Cup|2007]]; runner-up [[2001 UNCAF Nations Cup|2001]]

'''Individual'''
* [[CONCACAF Gold Cup]] All-Tournament team: [[2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup|2007]]
* [[CONCACAF Gold Cup]] Top scorer: [[2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup|2003]]
* [[CONCACAF Gold Cup]] Best XI: [[2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup|2003]]

==See also==
* [[List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* {{NFT player|1632}}

{{Puntarenas F.C. managers}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Costa Rica squads
| bg        = #CE1126
| fg        = white
| bordercolor = blue
|list1=
{{Costa Rica squad 1997 Copa América}}
{{Costa Rica squad 2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup}}
{{Costa Rica squad 2001 Copa América}}
{{Costa Rica squad 2002 CONCACAF Gold Cup}}
{{Costa Rica squad 2002 FIFA World Cup}}
{{Costa Rica squad 2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup}}
{{Costa Rica squad 2004 Copa América}}
{{Costa Rica squad 2006 FIFA World Cup}}
{{Costa Rica squad 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup}}
{{Costa Rica squad 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup}}
}}
{{2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup Team of the Tournament}}
{{2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup Team of the Tournament}}
{{CONCACAF Gold Cup awards}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Centeno, Walter}}
[[Category:1974 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Footballers from Puntarenas Province]]
[[Category:Costa Rican men's footballers]]
[[Category:Men's association football midfielders]]
[[Category:Deportivo Saprissa players]]
[[Category:Belén F.C. players]]
[[Category:AEK Athens F.C. players]]
[[Category:Liga FPD players]]
[[Category:Super League Greece players]]
[[Category:Costa Rica men's international footballers]]
[[Category:1997 Copa América players]]
[[Category:2000 CONCACAF Gold Cup players]]
[[Category:2001 Copa América players]]
[[Category:2002 CONCACAF Gold Cup players]]
[[Category:2002 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:2003 CONCACAF Gold Cup players]]
[[Category:2004 Copa América players]]
[[Category:2006 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup players]]
[[Category:2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup players]]
[[Category:FIFA Men's Century Club]]
[[Category:Central American Games gold medalists for Costa Rica]]
[[Category:Central American Games medalists in football]]
[[Category:Costa Rican expatriate men's footballers]]
[[Category:Costa Rican expatriate sportspeople in Greece]]
[[Category:Costa Rican expatriate sportspeople in Puerto Rico]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Greece]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Puerto Rico]]
[[Category:Costa Rican football managers]]
[[Category:Puntarenas F.C. managers]]
[[Category:Municipal Grecia managers]]
[[Category:Deportivo Saprissa managers]]
[[Category:CONCACAF Champions Cup–winning players]]