Michael Barrantes
Barrantes playing for Saprissa in 2018
Personal information
Full name Michael Barrantes Rojas
Date of birth (1983-10-04) 4 October 1983 (age 40)
Place of birth San José, Costa Rica
Height 1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Alajuelense
Number 31
Youth career
2004 Ramonense
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2004 Ramonense 11 (2)
2004–2005 Belén 19 (5)
2005–2007 Puntarenas 49 (1)
2007–2010 Deportivo Saprissa 90 (7)
2010 → Aalesund (loan) 7 (2)
2011–2015 Aalesund 115 (31)
2015 Shanghai Shenxin 13 (4)
2016 Wuhan Zall 26 (4)
2017 Cartaginés 12 (0)
2017 Grecia 19 (4)
2018–2021 Saprissa 143 (14)
2022-2023 Cartaginés 7 (4)
2023- Alajuelense 19 (2)
International career
2007–2015 Costa Rica 54 (4)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 07:31, 28 May 2021 (UTC)

Michael Barrantes Rojas (Spanish pronunciation: [baˈrantes]; born 4 October 1983) is a Costa Rican professional footballer who currently plays as a midfielder for Alajuelense.[1]

On 6 November 2011, he scored two goals for Aalesund in the 2011 Norwegian Cup Final, in a 2–1 win against Brann, and was awarded the man of the match award.[2] He won the Kniksen award as the best midfielder in the 2011 Tippeligaen.[3]

Career

Club career

Deportivo Saprissa

Barrantes started his professional career with his native side A.D. Belén in 2003. Barrantes later joined the Costa Rican side Deportivo Saprissa after first playing two seasons for Puntarenas F.C. in 2007,[4] much to the disappointment of Puntarenas fans.[5] The following season he secured for his team the 2008 league title when he scored the winning goal in the last playoff match against LD Alajuelense.[6][7] In May the following season he sustained a left knee injury that left him out for eight weeks.[8]

Aalesunds FK

In July 2010, after delivering an impressive display during Saprissa's European tour,[9] he was signed by Norwegian side Aalesunds FK on loan, joining his compatriot Pablo Herrera who was already at the club.[10][11] After some initial hurdles with the paperwork,[12] Barrantes quickly became a favorite both with the players and coaching staff.[13] He received his starting debut with Aalesunds on 12 September in an away loss against Odd Grenland, during which he caused a penalty 50 seconds into the match.[14] And it became evident that the midfielder needed time to adjust to the European style of playing.[15] The following season proved to be much more successful for Barrantes, as his game play not only saw him become the center piece of the Aalesunds midfield, the club also decided to make the loan-spell permanent, six months ahead of time.[16][17]

In the run-up to the 2011 season, Barrantes' qualities on the pitch was praised by both commentators[18] and coaches such as Ole Gunnar Solskjær.[19] The high expectations were matched by at times very good performances. He was credited with orchestrating the 2–3 away win against IK Start,[20] as well as the 2–0 home win against Viking FK, where he netted the final goal.[21] He was subsequently named Man of the match in the next four consecutive AaFK matches, and the local newspaper Sunnmørsposten crowned him King of the midfield.[22] Despite a mid-table position for Aalesunds, Barrantes helped the team advance to the playoffs at the Europa league qualifiers.[23] In addition he crowned the season with winning the domestic cup when Aalesunds beat SK Brann 2–1 in the finals, with Barrantes scoring twice and securing the title.[24][25] At the end of the season, he was given the award "Midfielder of the year" by Norsk Toppfotball, despite speaking neither Norwegian nor English.[26]

In the following 2012 season, despite being watched closely by a number of clubs, Barrantes remained in Aalesunds.[27] With his opponents now familiar with his style of play, it proved to be much harder for him to dominate than in the previous season.[28] Much to his frustration, the season turned out to be mixed for the team.[29] However, on 13 May, he was made awarded the Captaincy for the first time, in the 3–1 home win against Strømsgodset IF.[30] A week later, in a repeat scenario of the cup-final, Barrantes scored again against SK Brann to secure a 2–0 home win.[31] On 15 July he again scored two goals in the home win against Fredrikstad FK, the match Barrantes claimed, was his best match that year.[32] He repeated the feat in the away win against Fredrikstad a month later with an impressive left-foot goal from 30 meters,[33] and again in the home win against Vålerenga Fotball with two goals on 21 October.[34] In October with the season coming to an end, the club revealed that Barrantes had in fact been struggling with a pelvic injury throughout much of the 2012 season that kept him out of the pre-season, and that was the main reason behind his mixed success.[35] However the club stated that when he is 100% well, he will again be the able to dominate the midfield.[36]

Shanghai Shenxin

In June 2015, Barrantes signed for Shanghai Shenxin.[37]

Wuhan Zall

On 15 January 2016, Barrantes transferred to China League One side Wuhan Zall.[38]

International career

Barrantes made his debut for Costa Rica in a February 2007 friendly match against Trinidad and Tobago and went on to earn 54 caps, scoring four goals. He represented his country in fourteen FIFA World Cup qualification matches[39] and played at the 2007 UNCAF Nations Cup[40] as well as the 2007[41] and 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cups.[42]

Career statistics

Club

Season Club Division League Cup Continental Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
2010 Aalesund Tippeligaen 7 2 0 0 0 0 7 2
2011 29 6 7 6 7 5 43 17
2012 28 9 3 0 2 1 33 10
2013 26 7 3 0 0 0 29 7
2014 20 6 2 2 0 0 22 8
2015 12 3 1 0 0 0 13 3
Career Total 122 33 16 8 9 6 147 47

International goals

Score and result lists Costa Rica's goals first.
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 26 January 2010 Estadio Ingeniero Hilario Sánchez, San Juan, Argentina  Argentina 1–1 2–3 Friendly
2 3 September 2010 Estadio Rommel Fernández, Panama City, Panama  Panama 1–0 2–2
3 9 July 2013 Jeld-Wen Field, Portland, United States  Cuba 1–0 3–0 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup
4 3–0

Personal life

Barrantes lives with his wife, Andrea in Ålesund.[43][44] In August 2012, they announced that they were expecting their first child.[45] The child, a baby boy named Arjen (after Dutch winger Arjen Robben),[46] was born in February 2013 in Ålesund.[47]

Honours

Club

Barrantes lifting the 2019 CONCACAF League trophy
Saprissa
Aalesund

International

Costa Rica

Individual

References

  1. ^ Skuseth, Helge (5 September 2012). "Travel "pause" for AaFK's utlendinger". smp.no (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on 7 September 2012. Retrieved 31 October 2012.
  2. ^ "Brann på Knarberg". 9 January 2008.
  3. ^ "Moa fikk Kniksen-prisen som årets spiller: – en bekreftelse på at jeg har gjort noe riktig".
  4. ^ "Futbol Michael Barrantes: 'Tengo confianza en mis cualidades'". La Nación (in Spanish). 5 August 2007. Retrieved 29 October 2012.
  5. ^ Keith, Isaac Zuniga (21 September 2007). "Le tiraron duro a Michael Barrantes". Al Dia (in Spanish). Retrieved 29 October 2012.
  6. ^ "Saprissa Beats Alajuelenses For 27th National Title". Tico Times. 6 June 2008. Archived from the original on 22 February 2013. Retrieved 29 October 2012.
  7. ^ Calvo, Rodrigo (5 May 2009). "Michael Barrantes queda fuera del campeonato". La Nación (in Spanish). Retrieved 29 October 2012.
  8. ^ Calvo, Rodrigo (5 May 2009). "Saprissa pierde a Michael Barrantes: estará ocho semanas fuera del futbol". La Nación (in Spanish). Retrieved 29 October 2012.
  9. ^ Leandro C., Harold (13 July 2012). "Saprissa cerró con victoria gira por Europa". La Nación (in Spanish). Retrieved 29 October 2012.
  10. ^ Valverde, Esteban (15 July 2010). "Aalesund contrataría a Michael Barrantes". Al Dia (in Spanish). Retrieved 29 October 2012.
  11. ^ Vågnes, Stig (15 July 2010). "På plass i Aafk". 100% Fotball (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on 24 February 2013. Retrieved 30 October 2012.
  12. ^ Løvoll, Karl Petter (2 August 2010). "Ikke klar for AaFK". 100% Fotball (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on 23 February 2013. Retrieved 30 October 2012.
  13. ^ Skuseth, Helge (22 August 2010). "Rekdals nye favoritt". Smp.no (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on 22 February 2013. Retrieved 30 October 2012.
  14. ^ Baugerud, Tom Eik (12 September 2010). "Rekdal skjelte ut dommeren". 100% Fotball (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on 16 September 2010. Retrieved 30 October 2012.
  15. ^ Hjelvik, Eirik Nesset (24 January 2011). "Blir han årets komet?". smp.no (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on 22 February 2013. Retrieved 30 October 2012.
  16. ^ Hjelvik, Eirik Nesset (22 February 2011). "Aalesund går for Barrantes". 100¤ Fotball (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on 23 February 2011. Retrieved 30 October 2012.
  17. ^ Vågnes, Stig (14 March 2011). "Nå har Barrantes signert". smp.no (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on 22 February 2013. Retrieved 31 October 2012.
  18. ^ Vågnes, Stig (21 March 2011). "Endelig attraktiv fotball". smp.no (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on 24 March 2011. Retrieved 31 October 2012.
  19. ^ Hjelvik, Eirik Nesset (14 March 2011). "Solskjær: En meget god spiller". 100% Fotball (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on 19 March 2011. Retrieved 31 October 2012.
  20. ^ Karlsen, Håvard (8 April 2011). "Costaricansk magi og estisk krutt senket start". Fvn.no (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on 13 May 2011. Retrieved 31 October 2012.
  21. ^ Stenerud, Kristian (30 April 2011). "Rekdal kjempet seg til Barrantes". Smp.no (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on 3 June 2011. Retrieved 31 October 2012.
  22. ^ Mauren, Arnfinn (11 May 2011). "Konge i midten". 100% Fotball (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on 8 April 2013. Retrieved 31 October 2012.
  23. ^ Vågnes, Stig (25 August 2011). "Defensivt Aafk lag mot AZ". smp.no (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on 22 February 2013. Retrieved 31 October 2012.
  24. ^ Lyngøy, Roar (6 November 2011). "Det Oransje Mareritt". Bt.no (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on 19 April 2012. Retrieved 31 October 2012.
  25. ^ Rise, Ole Marius (6 November 2011). "Fantastisk Barrantes avgjorde cupfinalen". 100% Fotball (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on 25 September 2012. Retrieved 31 October 2012.
  26. ^ Nedregrotten, Sveinung. "Barrantes fikk kniken prisen". Smp.no (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on 24 December 2011. Retrieved 1 November 2012.
  27. ^ Hjelvik, Eirik Nesset (17 February 2012). "- Barrantes kan fortsatt bli bedre". smp.no (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on 19 February 2012. Retrieved 1 November 2012.
  28. ^ Hjelvik, Eirik Nesset (27 April 2012). "- Barrantes advarer: skal lage show mot RBK". smp.no (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on 22 February 2013. Retrieved 1 November 2012.
  29. ^ Skuseth, Helge (6 May 2012). "Barrantes tørster etter suksess". 100% Fotball (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on 22 February 2013. Retrieved 1 November 2012.
  30. ^ Hjelvik, Eirik Nesset (14 May 2012). "Barrantes fikk kapteinsnerver". 100% Fotball (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on 22 February 2013. Retrieved 1 November 2012.
  31. ^ Bøyum, Kim (20 May 2012). "Barrantes er Branns store mareritt". BT.no (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on 23 February 2013. Retrieved 1 November 2012.
  32. ^ Nedregrotten, Sveinung (15 July 2012). "Barrantes: Min beste kamp i år". smp.no (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on 23 February 2013. Retrieved 1 November 2012.
  33. ^ Bye, Are (27 August 2012). "Rekdals første borteseier på 20 kamper". smp.no (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on 28 August 2012. Retrieved 1 November 2012.
  34. ^ Lilleheim, Pål Are (21 October 2012). "God andre omgang sikret Ålesund seier". Budstikka.no (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on 22 February 2013. Retrieved 1 November 2012.
  35. ^ Godø, Øyvind (15 July 2012). "Derfor har ikke Barrantes slått til i år". 100% Fotball.no (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on 23 February 2013. Retrieved 1 November 2012.
  36. ^ Stenerud, Kristian (27 October 2012). "Aalesund holdt Barrantes skade skjult". smp.,no (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on 29 October 2012. Retrieved 1 November 2012.
  37. ^ "Barrantes til Kina". aafk.no/ (in Norwegian). Aalesunds FK. 18 June 2015. Archived from the original on 26 June 2015. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  38. ^ 卓尔新援巴兰特斯:帮球队冲超 at sports.sohu.com 2016-01-15 Retrieved 2016-01-15
  39. ^ Michael Barrantes – FIFA competition record (archived)
  40. ^ UNCAF (Qualifying Tournament for Gold Cup) 2007 – Details Archived 24 October 2008 at the Wayback Machine – RSSSF
  41. ^ CONCACAF Championship, Gold Cup 2007 – Full Details Archived 24 October 2008 at the Wayback Machine – RSSSF
  42. ^ CONCACAF Championship, Gold Cup 2013 – RSSSF
  43. ^ Hundstad, Per Rich (3 August 2011). "Skitt fiske med Enar og Michael". Nyttiuka (in Norwegian). Retrieved 31 October 2012.
  44. ^ Kvatningen, Roy (16 March 2012). "Klart jeg ville vurdert det". Nettavisen.no (in Norwegian). Retrieved 31 October 2012.
  45. ^ Stenerud, Kristian (3 October 2012). "Barrantes friskmelder seg selv mot Viking". Smp.no (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on 10 November 2012. Retrieved 31 October 2012.
  46. ^ Stenerud, Kristian. "Michael Barrantes: – Jeg følte meg misforstått". 100% Fotball (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on 3 July 2013. Retrieved 11 May 2013.
  47. ^ Bakke, Pål. "Aalesunds viktigste spiller vil bort". tv2.no (in Norwegian). Retrieved 20 February 2013.

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