Mágico González Explained

Mágico González
Full Name:Jorge Alberto González Barillas[1]
Birth Date:13 March 1958
Birth Place:San Salvador, El Salvador
Height:1.73 m
Position:Forward, attacking midfielder
Years1:1975–1976
Caps1:45
Goals1:13
Years2:1976–1977
Caps2:32
Goals2:7
Years3:1977–1982
Caps3:63
Goals3:39
Years4:1982–1984
Caps4:75
Goals4:29
Years5:1985
Caps5:9
Goals5:2
Years6:1986–1991
Caps6:119
Goals6:28
Years7:1991–1999
Totalcaps:343+
Totalgoals:118+
Nationalyears1:1976–1998
Nationalcaps1:62
Nationalgoals1:21

Jorge Alberto González Barillas (born 13 March 1958), popularly known as El Mágico ("The Magical One" or "The Wizard"),[2] is a Salvadoran former professional footballer who played mainly as a forward.

At the club level, he played mainly for FAS and Spain's Cádiz in a 24-year senior career. Dogged by his self-admitted and often-reported lack of discipline, he was often hailed as the greatest and most skilled footballer ever produced by El Salvador, and as one of the greatest players from the CONCACAF region.[3] [4]

González represented the El Salvador national team for more than two decades, taking part in the 1982 World Cup and the 1998 Gold Cup.[5] [6]

Club career

Early years

Born in San Salvador, González began his professional career in 1975, representing ANTEL and Independiente over two seasons before moving to FAS in the Primera División de Fútbol de El Salvador.

While playing in El Salvador, González became known as Mago but later, upon transferring to Spain, his nickname was slightly changed to Mágico.[2]

Cádiz

Both Atlético Madrid and Cádiz became interested in acquiring González in 1982 but, despite the Colchoneros higher profile, he signed with the Andalusians. His first game in Spain came in a friendly against La Barca de la Florida, while his Segunda División debut was on 5 September 1982 in a 1–1 home draw against Real Murcia, scoring in the process.[7] He became a fan favorite thanks to his dazzling moves and goals, but was also notorious for his love of the nightlife and his sleeping habits were also brought into question, whilst his on-field abilities endeared him to the Cádiz fans enough that they overlooked his minor indiscretions; he finished his first season with 33 games and 14 goals as the team promoted to La Liga.[8]

In 1983 and 1984, Cádiz traveled to the United States. González was the principal attraction the first year, but in the following the side was joined by Barcelona and its superstar Diego Maradona,[9] who later claimed that the Salvadoran was "without a doubt amongst the greatest ten players I have ever seen play, in all my life Better than myself and even better than Pelé".[10] [11] [12] His debut in the top division came on 11 September 1983 in a 1–3 home loss against the same opponent, Murcia,[13] and they were immediately relegated.

Despite this, Paris Saint-Germain of France showed interest in signing him[14] as well as Italian teams Atalanta, Fiorentina and Sampdoria, but González chose to stay in Cádiz.[15] His stay was somewhat short-lived, however, as he was transferred to Real Valladolid in the 1985 January transfer window due to problems with manager Benito Joanet.[16] He did not get along at Valladolid, where his personal life was tightly controlled and, after playing in just nine games, he returned to Cádiz exactly one year later;[17] as a precaution against his partying, his contract was reputed to have contained a clause stipulating he was to be paid US$700 per game played and none for the ones he missed.[18]

After several coaching changes, González was finally able to shine again for Cádiz under Víctor Espárrago, still competing in a further four top-tier campaigns.[19] In all, he scored 58 goals in 194 league games for the club until his departure on 6 June 1991, aged 33.[20]

Later career

González returned to El Salvador and FAS after Atalanta again failed to sign him. He stayed with the former until 1999 when he retired to begin coaching as an assistant in Houston, Texas. After a short stint in the US, he returned to his homeland.

In 2001, Cádiz honored González with a testimonial match, with the proceeds going to the victims of a recent earthquake in El Salvador. In 2003, the Salvadoran National Assembly gave González the government's highest honor, the Hijo Meritísimo, and renamed the national stadium the Flor Blanca after him.[21] On 28 August 2004, another testimonial was played in his honor, this time in El Salvador at the Mágico González Stadium, between America XI, a group of international stars, and a team made up of ex-FAS players; he played a half with either side and scored a total of three goals.[22] [23]

International career

Many critics and journalists say that if González had been Argentinian or Brazilian, he would have ranked amongst the best in the world, alongside Maradona and Pelé.[24] He received the first of his 62 caps for El Salvador on 1 December 1976, in a FIFA World Cup qualification match against Costa Rica.[25] He was also instrumental in leading the nation to the 1982 FIFA World Cup – the second time in history – where he appeared in all three group-stage matches, including the 10–1 loss to Hungary.[20]

González represented his country in 31 World Cup qualifiers, and scored 21 goals in full internationals.[26]

Style of play and temperament

A slender and highly creative forward, with superb ball control, technical ability and dribbling skills, González was also known for his quick feet and use of tricks and feints (including the flip flap, the Cruyff turn and the step over), as well as his accuracy with the ball and speed in possession – however, his talent was often overshadowed by his questionable behaviour off the pitch.[27] [28] [29] [30] [31] [32] [33] [2] He was widely considered to be the greatest Salvadoran footballer of all time, as well as one of the best-ever Latin American footballers in the history of the game. In 1999, he was named his nation's Player of the Century in IFFHS' Player of the Century Elections.[22] [34] [35]

A versatile forward, González was capable of playing both as a winger or as a second striker, but was also deployed as a centre-forward, as a playmaker in the number 10 role or even as a midfielder on occasion, and often wore the number 11 shirt.[32] His playing style served as an inspiration for Maradona, who was a staunch admirer of the Salvadoran, describing him as one of the ten best players he had ever seen and even stating that "[w]e, in training, always tried to imitate him [González], but we couldn't."[36] [37] [38]

Personal life

González was born to a family of modest means in the Luz neighborhood of San Salvador, one of seven brothers and a single sister. His older brother, Mauricio González Pachín, was a footballer who became well known at the local level.

Mágico married Ana María Ruano, daughter of another Salvadoran football legend, Alfredo Ruano. His son, Rodrigo, also played in the country's top division, for C.D. Atlético Marte.[39]

Career statistics

Scores and results list El Salvador's goal tally first.[26]

Goal Date Venue Opponent Result Competition Scored
1 29 April 1977 ? 1–2 Friendly 1
2 20 October 1977 3–2 1
3 4 June 1980 Flor Blanca, San Salvador, El Salvador 3–0 Friendly 1
4 17 August 1980 1–1 Friendly 1
5 24 August 1980 3–1 1
7? September 1980 Cuscatlán, San Salvador, El Salvador 3–2 Friendly 2
10 5 October 1980 Cuscatlán, San Salvador, El Salvador 4–1 1981 CONCACAF Championship qualification 3
11 23 November 1980 Cuscatlán, San Salvador, El Salvador 2–1 1981 CONCACAF Championship qualification 1
12 26 July 1981 Cuscatlán, San Salvador, El Salvador 4–0 Friendly 1
14 18 April 1982 Cuscatlán, San Salvador, El Salvador 3–2 Friendly 2
15 8 December 1991 Cuscatlán, San Salvador, El Salvador 1–1 Friendly 1
17 19 July 1992 5–0 2
18 23 July 1992 Cuscatlán, San Salvador, El Salvador 5–1 1994 World Cup qualification 1
19 25 October 1992 Cuscatlán, San Salvador, El Salvador 1–1 1994 World Cup qualification 1
20 1 November 1992 Cuscatlán, San Salvador, El Salvador 4–1 1994 World Cup qualification 1
21 2 May 1993 Cuscatlán, San Salvador, El Salvador 1–2 1994 World Cup qualification 1

Honours

FAS

1977–78, 1978–79, 1981, 1994–95, 1995–96[40]

1979[41]

Cádiz

1983, 1986[42]

El Salvador

1977[43]

Individual

1998[46]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Jorge González. Worldfootball. 3 May 2020.
  2. Web site: Unforgettable moments of Magico. World Soccer. Jamie. Rainbow. 18 May 2013. 24 November 2019.
  3. Web site: Magico Gonzalez, an exceptionally talented football star. Pundit Feed. 5 April 2021. 27 June 2021.
  4. Web site: El equipo ideal histórico de CONCACAF que podría haber ganado una final de Champions League. The all-time CONCACAF team who could have won a Champions League final. 90 Min. Carlos Alberto. Pérez García. es. 23 May 2021. 27 June 2021.
  5. News: Felicitaciones para "el Mágico" en su cumpleaños número 60. Congratulations to "the Magic" on his 60th birthday. El Gráfico. Jeremías. Alvarado. es. 13 March 2018. 13 March 2018.
  6. Web site: Mágico González vs Mario Kempes: la revancha de España 82. Mágico González vs Mario Kempes: the revenge of Spain 82. ElSalvador.com. Sander. Franco. es. March 2018. 15 March 2018.
  7. News: 1–1: El Murcia empezó fuerte. 1–1: Murcia started strong. Mundo Deportivo. es. 6 September 1982. 3 March 2014.
  8. News: 3–1: ¡Carranza fue una fiesta!. 3–1: Party at Carranza!. Mundo Deportivo. es. 23 May 1983. 3 March 2014.
  9. News: Mágico: el genio indisciplinado. Mágico: the undisciplined genius. Diario AS. Julio. Maldonado. es. 3 February 2003. 10 September 2018.
  10. Web site: Magico Gonzalez Top 10 Best Soccer Players Ever. YouTube. es. 2 November 2011. 27 January 2016. live. https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/MyEWEjZUrJs. 21 December 2021.
  11. https://www.cultkits.com/blogs/news/untold-stories-magico-gonzalez UNTOLD STORIES: MAGICO GONZALEZ
  12. https://www.cultkits.com/blogs/news/cult-heroes-magico-gonzalez CULT HEROES - MAGICO GONZALEZ
  13. News: El Murcia, ¡co-lider...!. Murcia, joint-leaders...!. Mundo Deportivo. es. 12 September 1983. 3 March 2014.
  14. News: "Mágico" González rechazó hace 35 años lo que Neymar aceptó en el PSG. "Mágico" González rejected what Neymar accepted at PSG 35 years ago. El Gráfico. Eduardo. De la O. es. 4 August 2017. 10 September 2018.
  15. News: Qué fue de… 'Mágico' González. What happened to… 'Mágico' González. 20 minutos. Edu. Casado. es. 13 March 2009. 10 September 2018.
  16. News: Mágico González se encontraba "flojo" y no jugó en La Condomina. Mágico González was "weak" and did not play in La Condomina. La Verdad. Paco. Lastra. es. 29 February 2016. 10 September 2018.
  17. News: El retorno de 'Mágico' Gonzalez. The return of 'Mágico' Gonzalez. El País. Carlos. Funcia. es. 16 September 1986. 3 March 2014.
  18. Web site: Qué fue de... Mágico González, el duende de Cádiz. What happened to... Mágico González, the elf of Cádiz. Cadena SER. Virginia. Griñán. es. 17 April 2009. 10 September 2018.
  19. News: Víctor Esparrago: "Mágico González para mí fue un espectáculo". Víctor Esparrago: "Mágico González was a show as far as I'm concerned". El Gráfico. Jorge. Benítez. es. 2 June 2020. 14 December 2022.
  20. Web site: Jorge "El Mágico" González: El gusto por jugar. Jorge "El Mágico" González: Love of playing. Gol y Fútbol. es. 17 October 2012. 14 December 2022.
  21. Web site: Magico, still doing it his way. FIFA. 1 April 2008. 10 September 2018. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20180910131409/https://www.fifa.com/womensyoutholympic/news/y=2008/m=4/news=magico-still-doing-his-way-728173.html. 10 September 2018.
  22. Web site: El Mago o El Magico... Simplemente Jorge. The Wizard or The Magician... Simply Jorge. El Balón Cuscatleco. es. 16 February 2009.
  23. Web site: Homenaje. Homage. Cádiz CF. es. 2 April 2006. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20070313094351/http://www.cadizcf.com/especial.php?idespecial=2. 13 March 2007.
  24. News: El fútbol sería distinto sin David Vidal. Football would be different without David Vidal. El Día de Córdoba. es. 30 November 2007. 12 November 2010.
  25. News: Erick Cabalceta posó junto al "Mágico" González. Erick Cabalceta posed alongside "Mágico" González. El Mundo. Enrique. Ortiz. es. 21 May 2022. 15 February 2023.
  26. Web site: Jorge Alberto González Barillas – International Goals. RSSSF. Jarek. Owsianski. 16 May 2011.
  27. News: Así recibió España al "Mágico" hace 35 años. This was how Spain welcomed the "Magician" 35 years ago. La Prensa Gráfica. es. 5 July 2017. 6 July 2017.
  28. News: Durante la década de los 80 – Su paso por el fútbol español. During the 80's – His spell in Spanish football. Marca. es. 16 February 2009.
  29. News: Mágico González y los demás olvidados. Mágico González and the other forgotten. El País. Cayetano. Ros. es. 18 March 2013. 3 March 2014.
  30. News: Kiko es su heredero en el fútbol español. Kiko is his heir in Spanish football. Marca. es. 4 October 2017.
  31. News: El mago hechiza de nuevo. The wizard enchants once again. El País. Fernando. Pérez Monguio. es. 4 February 2003. 4 October 2017.
  32. Web site: Pelé? Maradona? E se il calciatore più forte di sempre fosse Jorge "Mágico" González? Storia (e leggenda) di un fantasista che amava le donne e la notte. Pelé? Maradona? And if the greatest footballer of all time were Jorge "Mágico" González? The story (and legend) of a playmaker who loved women and the night. Il Fatto Quotidiano. Salvatore. Coccoluto. it. 4 June 2016. 24 July 2018.
  33. Web site: The best footballer you've never heard of. World Soccer. Eamonn. Foster. 27 September 2015. 24 July 2018.
  34. Web site: IFFHS' Players and Keepers of the Century for many countries. RSSSF. Marcelo. Leme de Arruda. 4 October 2017.
  35. Web site: IFFHS' Century Elections. RSSSF. Karel. Stokkermans. 4 October 2017.
  36. Web site: Jorge 'Mágico' González, el salvadoreño al que Maradona quiso pero nunca pudo imitar. Jorge 'Mágico' González, the Salvadoran that Maradona wanted to imitate but could not. Vice Sports. Andrés. Corona. es. 10 November 2015. 24 July 2018. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20170829041026/https://sports.vice.com/es_mx/article/mg8knx/jorge-magico-gonzalez-el-desmadroso-salvadoreno-al-que-maradona-nunca-pudo-imitar. 29 August 2017.
  37. News: Mágico González, el ídolo cadista al que no fichó el Barcelona por culpa de una alarma. Mágico González, the Cádiz idol Barcelona did not sign because of an alarm. Marca. Álvaro. Mogollo. es. 16 March 2018. 24 July 2018.
  38. News: Der Fußballer, der alles konnte, aber nicht wollte. The footballer that could do everything, but did not want to. Der Spiegel. Alex. Raack. de. 30 October 2020. 12 June 2024.
  39. Web site: ¿Volverá la magia?. Will the magic return?. ElSalvador.com. Orestes. Membreño. es. 10 April 2001. 15 February 2012. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20131116123551/http://www.elsalvador.com/noticias/2001/4/10/DEPORTES/depor4.html. 16 November 2013.
  40. Web site: El Salvador – List of Champions. RSSSF. Rodrigo. Arias. Roberto. Cruz. 23 April 2024.
  41. Web site: Central American Club Competitions 1979. RSSSF. Erik Francisco. Lugo. Jim. Goloboy. Karel. Stokkermans. 23 April 2024.
  42. Web site: Trofeo Ramon de Carranza. Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. 2019-10-14. 10 June 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080610065753/http://www.rsssf.com/tablesc/carranza.html. live.
  43. Web site: Central American and Caribbean Games 1978 (Medellín, Colombia). RSSSF. Frank. Ballesteros. Barrie. Courtney. Erik Francisco. Lugo. Eduardo. Mendoza. 23 April 2024.
  44. Web site: VIII. CONCACAF Nations Cup 1981. RSSSF. Macario. Reyes. Erik Francisco. Lugo. Eduardo. Mendoza. 23 April 2024.
  45. Web site: VII. CONCACAF Nations Cup 1977 (NORCECA). RSSSF. Macario. Reyes. Erik Francisco. Lugo. Eduardo. Mendoza. Herbert. Ellerbrock. 23 April 2024.
  46. Web site: Balboa, Ramos named to CONCACAF "Team of the Century". Soccer America. 14 May 1998. 23 January 2024. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20161005115509/http://www.socceramerica.com/article/18669/balboa-ramos-named-to-concacaf-team-of-the-centu.html. 5 October 2016.
  47. Web site: IFFHS' Players and Keepers of the Century for many countries. RSSSF. Marcelo. Leme de Arruda. 29 March 2024.
  48. Web site: IFFHS' Century Elections. RSSSF. Karel. Stokkermans. 23 April 2024.
  49. Web site: 22 April 2013 . 4 March 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304122656/http://www.elgrafico.com/-El-Magico--Gonzalez-ingreso-al-Salon-de-la-Fama . El Gráfico . "El Mágico" González ingresó al Salón de la Fama .
  50. 59 años de magia // El máximo exponente de la historia del fútbol salvadoreño celebra hoy su cumpleaños. ¡Felicidades!, sitio digital 'El Gráfico', 13 de marzo de 2017.

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