MLS
When Messi met Mágico González
One of the uplifting moments in Friday’s friendly in San Salvador. The Inter Miami star greeted the Salvadoran legend - who inspired Maradona.
There were some memorable moments in last night’s friendly between Inter Miami and El Salvador. One the most anticipated ones took place just before kick-off when Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba greeted Jorge Mágico González at the Cuscatlán Stadium. The greatest reference in world football, perhaps in history, embraced the legendary Salvadoran soccer player, who many fans in Spain still fondly remember as one of the most talented and captivating players ever to have starred in LaLiga.
When it comes to La Selecta and Central American football in general, there is no one greater than Mágico so it was uplifting to witness the warmth he received from his compatriots when he stepped onto the pitch at the Cuscatlán. But the stadium erupted when Messi ambled over to give González a hug and shake his hand.
Television images showed Mágico clearly delighted to be out on the Cuscatlán pitch, but his embrace with Messi prompted loud screams and applause from the crowd. The legendary 65-year-old, whose time in Spain with Cádiz (and briefly, Valladolid) will never be forgotten, also greeted Luis Suárez, Busquets and Jordi Alba.
Magico González’s connection with Argentina
Way before his meeting with Messi, Mágico González already had close ties with another Argentinaean great. Diego Armando Maradona heaped praise on him for his enormous talent and ability while Lionel Scaloni stayed with him during a visit to El Salvador in 2023.
Some observers have claimed that had Mágico González been Brazilian or Argentinean, he would have been considered one of the greatest players the game ever produced.
Many years ago, Maradona, who played against Mágico and alongside him during a preseason tour of the United States in 1984 - at the Argentinean’s request, declared his admiration: “I was lucky to play with him in Argentinos Juniors and with Barcelona. There was no one like him. In training we would say, ‘Did you see the goal that ‘Mágico’ scored?! He would just breeze past everyone. We tried to imitate him but we couldn’t. Without a doubt he was one of the ten best players in the world that I have seen in my life. I was from planet earth but he was from another galaxy...”
Mágico joined Cádiz in 1982, scoring on his debut against Real Murcia - the first of 34 goals during his first spell with the Andalucians.