Gabriel Badilla Segura was born in San Jose, Costa Rica and is originally from Tibas. Since he was eight he knew that his dream was to be a professional soccer player so he joined the municipal soccer school of Tibas. He was there for four years training four days a week and playing every weekend. Following this he joined his favorite team, El Deportivo Saprissa at the junior level where he stayed only one year and a half because he was then elected to be part of the U-19 national team of Costa Rica. With the Costa Rica National team he participated throughout the entire preliminary process to arrive at the Junior World Cup in Trinidad and Tobago in 2001 when he was 16 years old. His outstanding participation called the attention of Patricio Hernandez, the trainer of El Deportivo Saprissa, and that is how he achieved his longed for contract with Saprissa when Patricio made him debut in 2001 when he was 17 years old during the game Saprissa vs San Carlos. For seven years he defended the purple shirt, winning the title of the best central defense, and he made historic goals (at the end of the 2007 championship of Saprissa vs. LDA). He left a footprint with his valuable and unique form of playing. His success with Saprissa is what led him to be recruited by The New England Revolution of the MLS.
 
He is a quick and strong young man who plays central defense, but he can easily play for both sides as defense or mid-fielder. He is a player who never gives in and has proven that he is a winner. He goes above and beyond and establishes his presence in both areas. He has a great technique. He puts all his courage in every game that he plays which has gained him the nickname, "The Gladiator." In spite of his age he has accomplished a lot; he has participated in the first division Costa Rican championship for seven seasons, as well as the World Cup U-17 in Trinidad and Tobago in 2001 where he was the captain of the team. He was the indisputable starter in the FIFA Club World Cup Japan in 2005 with Saprissa where he obtained third place and confronted world renowned players like Steven Gerard, Xavi Alonso, Fernando Monrientes and Pepe Reyna. He was also invited to the World Cup in Germany in 2006 where he played for 90 minutes in the Costa Rica versus Poland game. He is currently part of the preliminary process aiming towards being part of the World Cup in South Africa 2010. Recently he was recruited by New England Revolution of the MLS of the United States.

STATS

Name: Gabriel Badilla Segura
Nickname: "The Gladiator"
Birthday: June 30, 1984
Birthplace: San Jose, Costa Rica
Height: 1. 80 cm
Weight: 75 kgs
Position: Defense
Debut Team: Deportivo Saprissa     
Debut Year: 2001
Current Team: New England Revolution, MLS
Number: 4
International Games (Class A): 22
Total Goals: 17