{{short description|Nicaraguan footballer}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}} {{Infobox football biography | name= Byron Bonilla | fullname = Byron Bonilla Martínez<ref name=NFT>{{NFT player|id=66145|accessdate=}}</ref> | image = | caption = | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1993|8|30|df=y}}<ref name=NFT/> | birth_place = Granada, Nicaragua<ref name=NFT/> | height = 1.74 m<ref name=SW>{{Soccerway|592186|accessdate=6 June 2019}}</ref> | position = Left winger, left midfielder<ref name=NFT/> | currentclub = Real Estelí | clubnumber = 7 | years1 = 2016–2018 | years2 = 2019 | years3 = 2019–2020 | years4 = 2020–2022 | years5 = 2023– | clubs1 = Sporting San José | clubs2 = → Municipal Grecia (loan) | clubs3 = → Deportivo Saprissa (loan) | clubs4 = Cartaginés | clubs5 = Real Estelí | caps1 = | caps2 = | caps3 = 18 | caps4 = 89 | caps5 = 28 | goals1 = | goals2 = | goals3 = 0 | goals4 = 7 | goals5 = 4 | nationalyears1 = 2016– | nationalteam1 = Nicaragua | nationalcaps1 = 41 | nationalgoals1 = 7 | pcupdate = 20:36, 26 September 2023 (UTC) | ntupdate = 20:00, 6 September 2025 (UTC) }}
{{family name hatnote|Bonilla|Martínez|lang=Spanish}} '''Byron Bonilla Martínez''' (born 30 August 1993) is a Nicaraguan professional footballer who plays as a forward for Liga Primera club Real Estelí and the Nicaragua national team.
== Club career == === Early career === Byron Bonilla was born in Granada, Nicaragua, but he moved to Costa Rica along with his mother at the age of nine. During his childhood, Bonilla did not have a football education, and he felt interested in practicing it when he turned sixteen.
Byron played for Costa Rican LINAFA clubs like San Pablo, San Rafael, and JK Sporting. He spelled a two-month period with Saprissa de Corazón of the Second Division, however he had to leave the team because of permanency issues in the country.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nacion.com/puro-deporte/futbol-nacional/este-es-el-jugador-nicaraguense-de-la-liga-de/G5OQ6UVM4JEIHBNUHJYDTJCVLI/story/|title=Este es el jugador nicaragüense de la Liga de Ascenso que le llena el ojo a Vladimir Quesada|publisher=La Nación|language=es|accessdate=19 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lateja.cr/deportes/saprissa-esta-cerca-de-fichar-a-jugador/PXQ5N6B3LRHZ5JVNPHRLDK5SZY/story/|title=Saprissa está cerca de fichar a jugador nicaragüense|publisher=La Teja|language=es|accessdate=19 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.columbiadeportiva.com/index.php/2016-02-26-19-03-38/futbol-nacional/15757-byron-bonilla-ya-habia-sido-parte-del-saprissa|title=Byron Bonilla ya había sido parte del Saprissa|publisher=Columbia|language=es|accessdate=19 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180802223531/http://www.columbiadeportiva.com/index.php/2016-02-26-19-03-38/futbol-nacional/15757-byron-bonilla-ya-habia-sido-parte-del-saprissa|archive-date=2 August 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>
=== Sporting San José === In mid 2016, Bonilla was acquired by the Second Division team Sporting San José ahead of their inaugural season in the league. He made his official debut on 1 October in the 0−5 victory over Coto Brus.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://ligadeascensocr.com/noticias/byron-bonilla-consolida-su-ascenso-futbolistico-con-convocatoria-ha-seleccion-nicaraguense/|title=Byron Bonilla consolida su ascenso futbolístico con convocatoria a selección nicaragüense|publisher=Liga de Ascenso|language=es|accessdate=19 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190620040541/http://ligadeascensocr.com/noticias/byron-bonilla-consolida-su-ascenso-futbolistico-con-convocatoria-ha-seleccion-nicaraguense/|archive-date=20 June 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref> He finished his first season with eight goals.
At the 2017—18 season, he became one of the leaders for the team and was awarded as the best foreign player.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.laprensa.com.ni/2018/04/05/deportes/futbol-total/2399744-byron-bonilla-pasa-gran-momento-goleador-en-la-segunda-division-costarricense|title=Byron Bonilla pasa gran momento goleador en la Segunda División costarricense|publisher=La Prensa|language=es|accessdate=19 June 2019}}</ref>
=== Municipal Grecia === On 11 January 2019, signed a six-month loan deal with First Division club Municipal Grecia.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.crhoy.com/deportes/municipal-grecia-a-mantener-la-idea-ofensiva-de-pate/|title=Municipal Grecia: a mantener la idea ofensiva de "Paté"|publisher=CrHoy.com|language=es|accessdate=19 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mariosegura.com/grecia-le-cumple-con-refuerzos-a-pate-para-buscar-una-sonada-clasificacion/|title=Grecia le cumple con refuerzos a "Paté" para buscar una soñada clasificación|publisher=Mario Segura|language=es|accessdate=19 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190620003625/http://www.mariosegura.com/grecia-le-cumple-con-refuerzos-a-pate-para-buscar-una-sonada-clasificacion/|archive-date=20 June 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref>
=== Deportivo Saprissa === On 22 May 2019, Deportivo Saprissa announced that Bonilla joined the club on a two-year contract, on loan from Sporting San José.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.laprensa.com.ni/2019/05/23/deportes/2552516-deportivo-saprissa-confirma-la-contratacion-del-nicaraguense-byron-bonilla|title=Deportivo Saprissa confirma la contratación del nicaragüense Byron Bonilla|publisher=La Prensa|language=es|accessdate=19 June 2019}}</ref>
== International career == On 8 December 2016, Bonilla received his first call-up to the Nicaragua national team managed by Henry Duarte.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.laprensa.com.ni/2016/12/08/deportes/2147361-seleccion-de-futbol-convoca-tres-jugadores-con-doble-nacionalidad|title=Selección de Futbol convoca tres jugadores con doble nacionalidad|publisher=La Prensa|author=Nectalí Mora Zeledón|language=es|date=8 December 2016|access-date=19 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.radiolaprimerisima.com/noticias/general/215074/seleccion-nica-jugara-amistoso-contra-trinidad-y-tobago/|title=Selección nica jugará amistoso contra Trinidad y Tobago|publisher=La Gente|author=Redacción|language=es|date=14 December 2016|access-date=19 June 2019|archive-date=2 August 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180802223626/http://www.radiolaprimerisima.com/noticias/general/215074/seleccion-nica-jugara-amistoso-contra-trinidad-y-tobago/|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://nuevaya.com.ni/nicaragua-contra-trinidad-y-tobago-el-27-y-30-de-diciembre/|title=Nicaragua contra Trinidad y Tobago el 27 y 30 de Diciembre|publisher=La Nueva Radio Ya|author=Miguel Espinoza|language=es|date=14 December 2016|access-date=19 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.elnuevodiario.com.ni/deportes/414135-nicaragua-trinidad-tobago-amistoso-clave/|title=Nicaragua ante Trinidad y Tobago en amistoso clave|publisher=El Nuevo Diario|author=Haxel Rubén Murillo|language=es|date=27 December 2016|access-date=19 June 2019|archive-date=20 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190620031348/https://www.elnuevodiario.com.ni/deportes/414135-nicaragua-trinidad-tobago-amistoso-clave/|url-status=dead}}</ref> He debuted on 30 December in a match against Trinidad and Tobago, as a substitution for Daniel Cadena at the beginning of the second half.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://contactohoy.com.mx/1-3-trinidad-y-tobago-vence-a-nicaragua-en-segundo-amistoso/|title=1-3. Trinidad y Tobago vence a Nicaragua en segundo amistoso|publisher=Contacto Hoy|author=Redacción|language=es|date=30 December 2016|access-date=19 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180802223556/https://contactohoy.com.mx/1-3-trinidad-y-tobago-vence-a-nicaragua-en-segundo-amistoso/|archive-date=2 August 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.laprensa.com.ni/2016/12/31/deportes/2158063-nicaragua-pierde-ante-trinidad-y-tobago-en-segundo-amistoso|title=Selección pierde ante Trinidad y Tobago en segundo amistoso|publisher=La Prensa|author=Reydavid González|language=es|date=31 December 2016|access-date=19 June 2019}}</ref>
On 4 June 2019, Bonilla was named to Nicaragua's final 23-man for the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.crhoy.com/deportes/nicaragua-definio-lista-para-copa-oro-con-4-ticos/|title=Nicaragua definió lista para Copa Oro con 4 "ticos"|publisher=CrHoy.com|author=Hermes Solano|language=es|date=4 June 2019|access-date=19 June 2019}}</ref>
===International goals=== ''Scores and results list Nicaragua's goal tally first.'' {| class="wikitable sortable" |+ List of international goals scored by Byron Bonilla |- ! No. !! Date !! Venue !! Opponent !! Score !! Result !! Competition |- | align=center | 1 || rowspan=2 | 14 October 2019 || rowspan=2 | Windsor Park, Roseau, Dominica || rowspan=2 | {{fb|DMA}} || align=center | 2–0 || rowspan=2 align=center | 4–0 || rowspan=2 | 2019–20 CONCACAF Nations League B |- | align=center | 2 || align=center | 3–0 |- | align=center | 3 || 5 June 2021 || Estadio Nacional, Managua, Nicaragua || {{fb|BLZ}} || align=center | 2–0 || align=center | 3–0 || 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification |- | align=center | 4 || 3 June 2022 || Estadio Nacional, Managua, Nicaragua || {{fb|TRI}} || align=center | 2–1 || align=center | 2–1 || 2022–23 CONCACAF Nations League B |- | align=center | 5 || 6 June 2022 || Arnos Vale Stadium, Arnos Vale, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines || {{fb|VIN}} || align=center | 1–1 || align=center | 2–2 || 2022–23 CONCACAF Nations League B |- | align=center | 6 || 17 November 2022 || Estadio Nacional, Managua, Nicaragua || {{fb|SLV}} || align=center | 1–0 || align=center | 1–0 || Friendly |- | align=center | 7 || 6 September 2025 || Estadio Nacional, Managua, Nicaragua || {{fb|CRC}} || align=center| 1–1 || align=center | 1–1 || 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification |}
== Honours == '''Individual''' * Best foreign player of the Costa Rican Second Division: 2017–18<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.laprensa.com.ni/2018/06/21/deportes/futbol-total/2438641-el-nicaraguense-byron-bonilla-integra-el-ideal-de-la-segunda-division-de-costa-rica|title=El nicaragüense Byron Bonilla elegido el mejor extranjero de Segunda División tica|publisher=La Prensa|language=es|author=Nectalí Mora Zeledón|date=21 June 2018|accessdate=19 June 2019}}</ref> * Best XI of the Costa Rican Second Division: 2017–18<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/ligagatoradedeascensocr/photos/a.522497077823230.1073741837.500612746678330/2082220818517507/?type=3|title=Best XI of the 2017-18 season|publisher=Liga de Ascenso|date=15 June 2018|accessdate=19 June 2019}}</ref> * Included on the team of the week of the Costa Rican Second Division: 2017 Apertura, weeks 4, 5, 6, 11, 18, quarter–finals second leg, semi–finals second leg.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/ligagatoradedeascensocr/photos/a.522497077823230.1073741837.500612746678330/1629655913774002/?type=3&theater|title=Best XI of the week: 4|publisher=Liga de Ascenso|date=14 August 2017|accessdate=19 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/ligagatoradedeascensocr/photos/a.522497077823230.1073741837.500612746678330/1639051302834463/?type=3&theater|title=Best XI of the week: 5|publisher=Liga de Ascenso|date=21 August 2017|accessdate=19 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/ligagatoradedeascensocr/photos/a.522497077823230.1073741837.500612746678330/1643192919086968/?type=3&theater|title=Best XI of the week: 6|publisher=Liga de Ascenso|date=24 August 2017|accessdate=19 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/ligagatoradedeascensocr/photos/a.522497077823230.1073741837.500612746678330/1684852968254296/?type=3&theater|title=Best XI of the week: 11|publisher=Liga de Ascenso|date=25 September 2017|accessdate=19 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/ligagatoradedeascensocr/photos/a.522497077823230.1073741837.500612746678330/1743193605753565/?type=3&theater|title=Best XI of the week: 18|publisher=Liga de Ascenso|date=6 November 2017|accessdate=19 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/ligagatoradedeascensocr/photos/a.522497077823230.1073741837.500612746678330/1765987620140830/?type=3&theater|title=Best XI of the week: Quarter-finals second leg|publisher=Liga de Ascenso|date=21 November 2017|accessdate=19 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/ligagatoradedeascensocr/photos/a.522497077823230.1073741837.500612746678330/1786099178129674/?type=3&theater|title=Best XI of the week: Semi-finals second leg|publisher=Liga de Ascenso|date=4 December 2017|accessdate=19 June 2019}}</ref> * Most valuable player of the week: 2017 Apertura, week 4.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/ligagatoradedeascensocr/photos/a.522497077823230.1073741837.500612746678330/1629654657107461/?type=3&theater|title=Figure of the week 4|publisher=Liga de Ascenso|date=14 August 2017|accessdate=19 June 2019}}</ref> * Included on the team of the week of the Costa Rican Second Division: 2018 Clausura, weeks 9, quarter–finals second leg, semi–finals first and second leg.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/ligagatoradedeascensocr/photos/a.522497077823230.1073741837.500612746678330/1911674982238759/?type=3&theater|title=Best XI of the week: 9|publisher=Liga de Ascenso|date=2 March 2018|accessdate=19 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/ligagatoradedeascensocr/photos/a.522497077823230.1073741837.500612746678330/2010741925665397/?type=3&theater|title=Best XI of the week: Quarter-finals second leg|publisher=Liga de Ascenso|date=2 May 2018|accessdate=19 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/ligagatoradedeascensocr/photos/a.522497077823230.1073741837.500612746678330/2014073545332235/?type=3&theater|title=Best XI of the week: Semi-finals first leg|publisher=Liga de Ascenso|date=4 May 2018|accessdate=19 June 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/ligagatoradedeascensocr/photos/a.522497077823230.1073741837.500612746678330/2019035521502704/?type=3&theater|title=Best XI of the week: Semi-finals second leg|publisher=Liga de Ascenso|date=7 May 2018|accessdate=19 June 2019}}</ref> Liga Primera (C2023)
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == * {{Soccerway|byron-bonilla-martinez/592186}} * {{NFT player|66145/Byron_Bonilla}}
{{Nicaragua squad 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bonilla, Byron}} Category:1993 births Category:Living people Category:Nicaraguan men's footballers Category:People from Granada, Nicaragua Category:Men's association football forwards Category:Men's association football wingers Category:Men's association football midfielders Category:Nicaragua men's international footballers Category:Liga FPD players Category:Municipal Grecia players Category:Deportivo Saprissa players Category:Real Estelí FC players Category:Nicaraguan expatriate men's footballers Category:Nicaraguan expatriate sportspeople in Costa Rica Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Costa Rica Category:2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup players