Jorge Alberto González Barillas was born on 13th March 1958 in Salvador, a small country in Central America. The name probably does not ring a bell, but he was admired by Diego Maradona and the best European clubs throughout his career in the 70s and 80s. Why have you never heard of him? Most likely because he spent most of his career between Salvador and the small Andalusian club of Cádiz. You might ask why we are looking at him today, a player unknown to the greater public nowadays but can be compared to Messi’s talent. This technical player was admired by Spain and yet, stayed humble, simple and enjoyed life as a football player, without the stress and pressure of playing in a top club.
Let’s take it back to the start. González was born in a family of eight children and was the son of an ex-professional, Oscar Ernesto, who played in the 30s in El Salvador. More importantly, his father was also a technical player, a proper dribbler, like his son will become. Jorge Alberto started playing in his native country, for Antel, Independiente Nacional and FAS. During that time, his abilities on the ball astonished his teammates and he eventually got nicknamed “El Magoâ€, the magician. Just like Manchester City legend, David Silva.
El Mago’s breakthrough comes just before the 1982 World Cup. He qualified his country for the competition and to prepare for it, they play some exhibition games, which included an opposition with Paris Saint-Germain. After a scintillating performance, the directors at the French club absolutely want to sign. However, like many offers throughout his career, he will refuse to sign for them. Even if he was promised to become a millionaire, something many players from his native country would have only dreamed of, he didn’t want the pressure of playing in a big club and wasn’t ready to comply with the expectations of the top level.
During the World Cup, El Salvador unsurprisingly do not do so well, losing 10-1 to Hungary. However, story has it that El Mago was elected Man of the Match in that game. He continued to show his immense talent throughout the group stage games, truly impressing Spain and its clubs. Atletico Madrid try signing him but get the same response as Paris. Eventually, like every great dribbler, he takes even opposite route that is expected of him and signs for Spanish second division side, Cádiz. There starts an eight-year love story with the Andalusian club.
Cult heroes are becoming rarer these days, with the romantism progressively leaving the game. Classic number 10s like Riquelme and Pablo Aimar have disappeared, leaving place to technically gifted powerful box-to-box midfielders. Yet, the romantism around González was undoubtable. Upon arrival in Spain, he receives his definitive nickname, Magico González. His technical ability illuminated the second division and led his club to be promoted to the top of Spanish football.
This does beg the question of what made this player so special? Magico González ultimately was 30 or 40 years in advance on his time. His dribbling was second to none. While Maradona was dribbling a lot like Messi does today, with a quick succession of small touches to get around defenders, Magico has certain bits of skill that made him stand out. What Ronaldinho popularised in the early 21st Century, the “Elasticoâ€, Magico was already doing it in his time. Back then, it was called the Culebra Macheteada, which translated to the macheted snake. Capable of doing it perfectly inside-outside, he was also able to do it the other way.
A highlight of his time in Spain was his games against Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona, especially the latter. Against the Catalans, where played Diego Maradona and managed by Cesar Luis Menotti, who managed the World Cup winning Argentina side in 1978. Magico decided that this game was going to be his and he scored a sensational goal, picking up the ball in his own half and dribbling the whole opposition team. Perplexed and amazed, Barcelona decided a duo of Magico González and Maradona had to happen one day. The Argentinian magician himself had once said that Magico could do things he couldn’t, and we are talking about THE Diego Maradona.
Goals against Real Madrid and Barcelona: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Qgfj7GqASI
Barcelona invite González to come to a pre-season tour in the United States, to play New York Cosmos and unite with Maradona on the pitch, give him a taster for what life could be with the Argentinian. Unfortunately, that life is not as amazing as it might be conceived. On the pitch, the rare footage shows the two players seem to get along just fine, however, it is an off the pitch incident which breaks the relationship. Playing a joke on everyone, Maradona turns on the fire alarm in the middle of the night at the hotel, leading to the evacuation of the whole delegation. All but one: Magico González. Everyone looks for him, only to find him in good company in his bedroom. Furious, Menotti declares he cannot handle both Maradona and González. The latter therefore stays in Cádiz to continue his career, far from the limelight which he never desired.
Magico’s story with Cádiz was simple, while they were relegated, he brough them back up. He was a simple guy, someone who loved like, with a near to childish look on life that he described as a game. He once said that he might not be a saint, that he likes night life, that he is irresponsible and unprofessional. However, he plays for the love of the game, for fun. And with that lives on the magic of González’ story, a story he ended in Salvador where he finished his career. At the age of 63, hecontinues to enjoy his life back home. He still plays in testimonials once in a while, the national stadium was renamed after him and he is just enjoying life back home.
Magico González won’t be remembered in the mainstream media or football history books. His skill and charisma however should be remembered as an inspiration to Maradona and that in itself is impressive. His immense talent never served the biggest clubs in Spain and he never won a World Cup, just a CONCACAF Champions League and some league titles in Salvador. This does however tie in with his story, his legendary yet unknown status of this magical number 10s who just glided through games, without a care in the world. And more importantly, he played for the love of the game, without a care in the world, like a child in his back garden and that makes him a special player.
