Anthony Daniel Contreras Enríquez (born 29 January 2000) is a Costa Rican footballer who plays as a forward for Riga FC, and the Costa Rica national team.

Anthony Contreras
Personal information
Full name Anthony Daniel Contreras Enríquez[1]
Date of birth (2000-01-29) 29 January 2000 (age 24)
Place of birth Lomas de Pavas, San José,
Costa Rica
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)[2]
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
Riga
Number 9
Youth career
Zapote
2015–2019 Herediano
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2017–2023 Herediano 68 (19)
2019La U (loan) 20 (7)
2020Grecia (loan) 15 (6)
2020Guadalupe (loan) 10 (5)
2021–2022Guanacasteca (loan) 43 (22)
2023– Riga 26 (14)
2024Pafos FC (loan) 12 (0)
International career
2021– Costa Rica 29 (4)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 11 November 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 21:12, 18 November 2024 (UTC)

Club career

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Herediano

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Contreras joined C.S. Herediano in 2015, after he was spotted by a scout in a game for a club in Zapote, at the age of 15.[3][4] He then went on a trial at the club and then joined the club permanently. Before that, Contreras had never played for a club.

23 months after joining Herediano, on 15 January 2017, he got his official debut for the club in the Liga FPD against Belén FC at the age of 16.[5] Contreras started on the bench, coming on as a substitute for Heyreel Saravia in the 90th minute. This game was his only appearance in the 2017-18 season. In the following season, he only made one appearance, while he made zero in the 2018-19 season. To gain some experience, he was loaned out to La U Universitarios in the summer 2019 for the rest of the year, where he played 20 games as scored six goals.

On 13 December 2019 it was confirmed, that Contreras would be playing the rest of the 2019-20 season on loan for Municipal Grecia, as well as six other players that Grecia had loaned from Herediano.[6][7] Contreras played 15 games and scores six goals for the club.

Herediano announced in June 2020, that Contreras had returned to the club.[8][9] Contreras participated in the teams pre-season and was also on the bench for a cup game in August 2020. However, on 15 September 2020, he was sent out on loan for the third time, this time to Guadalupe FC for the rest of 2020.[10]

Returning from loan in January 2021, Contreras became a regular player for Herediano and made 26 league appearances from January to June 2021. However, on 21 June 2021, Contreras was loaned out to AD Guanacasteca for the rest of 2021.[11]

Riga FC

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On 16 July 2023, Contreras joined Latvian Higher League side Riga FC.[12] Contreras made a good start to his time at the club, scoring three goals in his first three league games.

Riga FC announced in January 2024, that Contreras was sent out on loan to Pafos FC.[13] Contreras returned to Riga ahead of the 2024-25 season.[14]

International career

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In November 2019, Contreras was called up for the Costa Rican national team's pre-squad.[15][16]

Contreras was also a part of the Costa Rican U23 national team that was called up for the 2020 CONCACAF Men's Olympic Qualifying Championship in March 2020.[17]

Contreras made his debut for the senior Costa Rica national football team on 12 November 2021 in a World Cup qualifier against Canada.[18] Contreras scored his first goal for the national team on 27 March 2022 during a 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifier against El Salvador.[19]

Career statistics

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International

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As of match played 18 November 2024[20]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Costa Rica 2021 1 0
2022 11 2
2023 12 2
2024 5 0
Total 29 4

Scores and results list Costa Rica's goal tally first.

List of international goals scored by Anthony Contreras
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition Ref.
1 27 March 2022 Estadio Cuscatlán, San Salvador, El Salvador   El Salvador 1–0 2–1 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification [21]
2 30 March 2022 Estadio Nacional, San José, Costa Rica   United States 2–0 2–0 [22]
3 25 March 2023 Stade Pierre-Aliker, Fort-de-France, Martinique   Martinique 2–1 2–1 2022–23 CONCACAF Nations League A [23]
4 4 July 2023 Red Bull Arena, Harrison, United States   Martinique 5–1 6–4 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup [24]

References

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  1. ^ "FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 – Squad list: Costa Rica (CRC)" (PDF). FIFA. 15 November 2022. p. 7. Retrieved 15 November 2022.
  2. ^ Anthony Contreras at WorldFootball.net
  3. ^ Anthony Contreras, se convierte en uno de los goleadores de las panteras, municipalgrecia.com, 5 June 2020
  4. ^ De las mejengas de Pavas surgió el artillero..., nacion.com, 21 July 2020
  5. ^ BELÉN VS. HEREDIANO 1 - 1, soccerway.com, 15 January 2017
  6. ^ Grecia ratifica refuerzos rojiamarillos, mariosegura.com, 13 December 2019
  7. ^ Grecia anunció 7 préstamos del Herediano, deportescr.net, 13 December 2019
  8. ^ Contreras regresa al Herediano, herediano.com, 23 June 2020
  9. ^ Herediano confirma dos llegadas para el próximo campeonato, yashinquesada.com, 23 June 2020
  10. ^ Herediano cede a Anthony Contreras a Guadalupe FC, sensaciondeportiva.com, 15 September 2020
  11. ^ Otro más: Herediano envía un tercer jugador a Guanacasteca, crhoy.com, 21 June 2021
  12. ^ WE HAVE SIGNED A CONTRACT WITH COSTA RICAN NATIONAL TEAM CENTRE-FORWARD CONTRERAS, rigafc.lv, 16 July 2023
  13. ^ Upenieks, Krišs (31 January 2024). "Contreras joins "Pafos" on loan". Riga FC. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  14. ^ CONTRERAS RETURNS TO RIGA, rigafc.lv, 4 July 2024
  15. ^ Richard Steven y Anthony Contreras fueron convocados a la selección nacional, greciadeportes.com, 1 November 2019
  16. ^ Jóvenes figuras esperan una oportunidad con la selección, laagendacr.com, 6 November 2019
  17. ^ La prelista de convocados de la Sub23 para el eliminatorio olímpico, columbia.co.cr, 3 March 2020
  18. ^ "Canada v Costa Rica game report". FIFA. 12 November 2021. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  19. ^ "EL SALVADOR VS. COSTA RICA 1 - 2". Soccerway. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
  20. ^ Cite error: The named reference sw was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  21. ^ "El Salvador vs. Costa Rica". Soccerway. Retrieved 28 March 2022.
  22. ^ "Costa Rica vs. United States". Soccerway. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
  23. ^ "Martinique vs. Costa Rica". Soccerway. Retrieved 25 March 2023.
  24. ^ "Costa Rica vs. Martinique". Soccerway. Retrieved 4 July 2023.
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