Mario Murillo (footballer)


Mario Murillo Chaverri was a Costa Rican footballer who played professionally in the Colombian Professional Football League and Mexican Primera División. He also represented Costa Rica at international level.

Club career

Born in Santa Bárbara, Heredia, Murillo played as a defender, midfielder and goalkeeper. He began his career with local Costa Rican Primera División side C.S. Herediano in 1943. He helped the club to a runner-up finish in the 1943 Costa Rican Primera División season.
Murillo began playing professional football with Mexican Primera División side Moctezuma de Orizaba in 1945. Three seasons later, he joined Tiburones Rojos de Veracruz for one season. Nicknamed El cañonero, Murillo returned to Herediano briefly before playing professionally in Colombia with Universidad de Bogotá from 1950 to 1952. He also played in Venezuela for Litoral Sport Club.
He finished his playing career in Costa Rica, winning two of his four Primera titles with Herediano in 1956 and 1961. A serious foot injury ended his career in 1961.

International career

Murillo made 12 appearances for the Costa Rica national football team, making his debut in 1950.

Personal life

Murillo's brother, Evaristo, was also a professional footballer.
After retiring as a player, Murillo worked 30 years for the Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad.
Murillo died in November 2012.