His team, Herediano, triumphed in the Grand Final of the Apertura 2024 Tournament against Alajuelense.
Champion ! Cuban footballer Marcel Hernández lifted the Cup of the Apertura 2024 Tournament in Costa Rica after a victory with Herediano on Friday, during their visit to the Alejandro Morera Soto Stadium, home of Alajuelense, in the second leg of the Grand Final.
In the first leg for the title decider, Herediano’s rojiamarillos secured a 2-0 victory, and despite losing 1-2 in the second leg, the overall score favored them to clinch their thirtieth crown, ending a drought that dates back to Apertura 2021. Note that Marcel Hernández came into play in both matches of the Grand Final, providing an assist in each match.
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For the 35-year-old striker, standing at 1.92m tall, this marks his second national title in Costa Rican football. Previously, he won the Clausura 2022 with Cartaginés, also against the Alajuelense team. By then, Marcel had returned to the club he cherished after a brief spell with their bitter rivals. Since then he has developed an intense rivalry with Alajuelense, from whom he snatched two finals after they let him go.
Hernández played his first tournament with Herediano in the recently concluded Apertura. He made 21 appearances and started 14 matches during the regular season and playoffs, scoring ten goals (tournament co-top scorer) and providing three assists.
The all-time top foreign scorer in Costa Rican football has become one of the most respected strikers in the Central American landscape. In 2020, for example, he was the third highest scorer in the calendar year in the top division leagues; according to data from the Transfermarkt portal, the Cuban has scored 30 goals, second only to superstars like Robert Lewandowski (32) and Cristiano Ronaldo (33).
Marcel has represented the Cuban national team in the past and is still eligible to return. However, he has expressed his dissatisfaction in several interviews regarding the logistical conditions of the national camp and therefore prefers to concentrate on his club commitments.
