Joel Campbell

This story first appeared in the February 2016 edition of the Arsenal Magazine. 

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How would you describe Costa Rica?

For me Costa Rica is the best country in the world. The people are very warm and you have a really good life there – the climate, the beaches. It’s a very laid- back place and it’s blessed in that it doesn’t have any problems with conflicts or anything like that. I think it’s a great country.

Name the three best things about our country The three best things...

I would say the quality of life, the tourism and the people that live there!

And something you would like to change about your nation?

I would make it a bit safer.

What’s your favourite food from your country?

Well, it’s not strictly Costa Rican – more Caribbean – but I’ll say rice and beans.

Which sports are popular, other than football?

The most popular sport in Costa Rica is football. There aren’t really any other sports apart from football! It’s huge there.

Tell us a phrase from your country.

Pura vida [literally pure life]. Pura vida is like saying ‘everything’s great’.

Where would you like to go in your country that you haven’t been?

Isla del Coco, an island off the Pacific coast which is a national park.

Who is the current prime minister of your country?

It is Luis Guillermo Solis. 

Tell us the first line of your national anthem.

Yes I can, it’s: Noble patria, tu hermosa bandera [Noble homeland, your beautiful flag].”

What languages do you speak?

Spanish, a bit of English and also a bit of French.

What languages would you like to speak?

I would like to learn Portuguese.

Tell us somewhere in the world you would like to visit.

Dubai

What was the first trip you ever made outside of your home country – and why?

Yes, I remember it. It was a coach trip and I went to Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras and Guatemala.

Can you name the capital cities of these countries?

Chile – Santiago. 
Scotland – I don’t know, sorry! 
USA – Washington. 

And can you name the countries from their Presidents/Prime Ministers?

Vladimir Putin – Russia. 
David Cameron – That has to be the UK! 
Angela Merkel – She’s European right? Germany.

Who won the World Cup in these years?

1966 – England, you still talk about it! 
1990 – Germany. 
2002 – Brazil. 

What nationality are the following Arsenal legends?

Dennis Bergkamp – Denmark? No, wait Holland! 
Anders Limpar – Is he from Finland? [no, Sweden] 
Lauren – Cameroonian. 

In which country do Arsenal de Sarandi play?

That’s Argentina.