Costa Rican footballer Derrikson Quirós has shocked fans and followers by announcing the end of his relationship with his fiancée, only three days after a highly publicized marriage proposal on the football pitch.
The dramatic turn of events began on Saturday, February 21, 2026, during a home match for Quirós's club (reportedly in the Costa Rican Primera División), when the midfielder interrupted play to propose to his longtime girlfriend in front of thousands of spectators and cameras. The romantic gesture—complete with a ring, kneeling, and the stadium crowd cheering—quickly went viral across social media platforms, earning widespread praise as a heartwarming moment in football.
However, on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, Quirós posted a brief but definitive statement on his Instagram account confirming the breakup:
“After much reflection and difficult conversations, we have decided to end our relationship. The proposal on Saturday was made with genuine love and hope for a future together, but life sometimes takes unexpected turns. I ask for respect and privacy during this time. Thank you to everyone who sent messages of support.”
The post included no further details about the reasons for the sudden split, though it featured a single black-and-white photo of the couple from happier times, now captioned simply “Grateful for what was.”
A short video clip circulating on X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok—believed to be from Quirós’s Instagram Stories—shows him speaking directly to the camera in a somber tone:
“I never imagined saying this so soon after Saturday. We tried, but sometimes love isn’t enough to overcome everything. I wish her nothing but the best. Please respect our decision.”
The rapid reversal has sparked intense speculation and debate online. Many football fans expressed confusion and disappointment, with comments ranging from sympathy (“Heartbreak is real, even in front of 20,000 people”) to humor (“Bro proposed in front of the whole stadium and got dumped faster than a red card”). Others questioned whether external pressures, personal issues, or even a publicity stunt played a role, though no evidence supports the latter theory.
Neither Quirós nor his now ex-fiancée (whose identity has been kept relatively private in media reports) has provided additional context. The woman, who had been a visible supporter at matches and shared couple content on social media, has since made her Instagram account private and removed most public photos of the pair.
The proposal itself had been celebrated as a bold and romantic gesture in Costa Rican football circles. Quirós, known for his midfield tenacity and community involvement, had reportedly planned the moment for weeks, coordinating with club officials to pause the match briefly after scoring a goal.
Club representatives have not commented publicly on the personal matter, though sources close to the team indicated that Quirós remains focused on training and upcoming fixtures. The player himself has not addressed the breakup in any further media statements as of Tuesday evening.
The story continues to trend across Costa Rican and regional sports pages, with many observers noting the stark contrast between the joy of Saturday’s stadium proposal and the pain of Tuesday’s announcement.
No further official updates have been shared by either party, and fans have been urged to respect their privacy during this difficult period.
