Gilberto 'Tuma' Martínez Returns to Deportivo Saprissa After 23 Years
The former player expresses joy at rejoining the club as an assistant coach, reflecting on significant changes in the team culture and infrastructure.
Gilberto ‘Tuma’ Martínez has expressed his happiness upon returning to Deportivo Saprissa, the only club he played for in Costa Rica.
As the assistant coach to Paulo César Wanchope, Martínez emphasized his enthusiasm for rejoining the team after a 23-year absence.
He recounted his emotional experience upon entering the locker room and stepping onto the pitch for the match against San Carlos, noting the overwhelming joy he felt after two decades away from the club.
"When I arrived and entered the locker room, I almost cried.
It was a tremendous joy because after 23 years, thanks to God, the doors of Saprissa opened for me.
Being in that locker room, where I was as a player, and now experiencing it from this side is totally different.
It was a beautiful feeling, as joy invaded me along with the eagerness to go to the field every day," Martínez shared during his appearance on the program _Cracks_.
Martínez reported a warm welcome from the current players, describing the team as fantastic and the players as having a great willingness to work.
He noted their collective desire to secure the 41st championship title for the club.
Reflecting on the differences between his time as a player from 1999 to 2001 and the present, Martínez highlighted significant advancements in team facilities and resources.
He observed, "The change is total.
Before, we had to prepare our own hydration; we were given packets to mix with water.
Sometimes we made only one batch in a cooler.
Now, bottles with water and hydration solutions are readily available.
There are many things that were not present at that time.
Just considering that there is an excellent pitch makes a big difference.
In the old Saprissa field, when it rained, it was total mud, and not just there; many stadiums faced that problem."
Martínez also recalled the moment he stepped out of the locker room and into the sight of the fans, recognizing the emotional connection with the supporters.
"Going out there towards the bench and hearing the crowd was beautiful.
It felt like going back in time, when I used to play in full stadiums with Saprissa and the national team.
It is incredible; the warmth of the people, seeing some wearing jerseys from Brescia, where I played in Italy...
it was a very beautiful feeling.
One of the shirts I signed was held by a gentleman who told me he had it for about 15 years; I told him it was well taken care of because it looked like new.
That moment before the game was very special," he said.
Martínez's debut alongside Wanchope as coaching staff was marked with success, as the team secured a 3-0 victory in their opening match.
The performance pleased fans, showcasing a Saprissa team that exhibited improved ball control and an offensive style of play.
As the assistant coach to Paulo César Wanchope, Martínez emphasized his enthusiasm for rejoining the team after a 23-year absence.
He recounted his emotional experience upon entering the locker room and stepping onto the pitch for the match against San Carlos, noting the overwhelming joy he felt after two decades away from the club.
"When I arrived and entered the locker room, I almost cried.
It was a tremendous joy because after 23 years, thanks to God, the doors of Saprissa opened for me.
Being in that locker room, where I was as a player, and now experiencing it from this side is totally different.
It was a beautiful feeling, as joy invaded me along with the eagerness to go to the field every day," Martínez shared during his appearance on the program _Cracks_.
Martínez reported a warm welcome from the current players, describing the team as fantastic and the players as having a great willingness to work.
He noted their collective desire to secure the 41st championship title for the club.
Reflecting on the differences between his time as a player from 1999 to 2001 and the present, Martínez highlighted significant advancements in team facilities and resources.
He observed, "The change is total.
Before, we had to prepare our own hydration; we were given packets to mix with water.
Sometimes we made only one batch in a cooler.
Now, bottles with water and hydration solutions are readily available.
There are many things that were not present at that time.
Just considering that there is an excellent pitch makes a big difference.
In the old Saprissa field, when it rained, it was total mud, and not just there; many stadiums faced that problem."
Martínez also recalled the moment he stepped out of the locker room and into the sight of the fans, recognizing the emotional connection with the supporters.
"Going out there towards the bench and hearing the crowd was beautiful.
It felt like going back in time, when I used to play in full stadiums with Saprissa and the national team.
It is incredible; the warmth of the people, seeing some wearing jerseys from Brescia, where I played in Italy...
it was a very beautiful feeling.
One of the shirts I signed was held by a gentleman who told me he had it for about 15 years; I told him it was well taken care of because it looked like new.
That moment before the game was very special," he said.
Martínez's debut alongside Wanchope as coaching staff was marked with success, as the team secured a 3-0 victory in their opening match.
The performance pleased fans, showcasing a Saprissa team that exhibited improved ball control and an offensive style of play.
