Published on 11:35 AM, November 21, 2016

Football: Costa Rica defender Badilla dies during run

Ronald Gomez (R) celebrates with Gabriel Badilla after scoring the opening goal during the World Cup 2006 group A football game Costa Rica vs. Poland. File Photo: AFP

Former Costa Rica international Gabriel Badilla has died aged 32, the Costa Rica Star reported on Sunday, the newspaper saying the defender collapsed near the finish of a 10km race in Santa Ana.

The cause of death had not been determined, but was likely a heart attack, the Star added.

Badilla, who underwent heart surgery in 2013 retired in June after playing 25 matches for his country.

Domestically, he made more than 200 appearances for Saprissa and also had a brief stint in Major League Soccer with the New England Revolution.