Santiago Emanuel González Puga (born 25 July 1999) is an Argentine footballer who plays as a winger for Peruvian club Sporting Cristal.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Santiago Emanuel González Puga | ||
| Date of birth | 25 July 1999 | ||
| Place of birth | San Martín, Mendoza, Argentina | ||
| Height | 1.69 m (5 ft 7 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Winger | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Sporting Cristal | ||
| Number | 7 | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2016–2017 | Deportivo Guaymallén | ||
| 2016–2017 | → Rodeo del Medio (loan) | ||
| 2017–2018 | Deportivo Maipú | 24 | (8) |
| 2018–2019 | San Lorenzo | 0 | (0) |
| 2019 | → Nueva Chicago (loan) | 11 | (0) |
| 2020–2021 | Gimnasia Mendoza | 23 | (2) |
| 2021–2023 | Deportivo Maipú | 91 | (12) |
| 2024– | Sporting Cristal | 29 | (12) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 15:02, 25 September 2024 (UTC) | |||
Career
editBorn in San Martín in Mendoza Province, González began playing for Deportivo Guaymallén in the Torneo Federal C, in the fifth tier of the Argentine football league system, moving on loan to Deportivo Rodeo del Medio (Torneo Federal B), and then on to Deportivo Maipú (Torneo Federal A).[1] He helped the last of those clubs into the last 32 of the Copa Argentina prior to his departure in 2018, scoring a goal and assisting another in a 3–0 win over Chacarita Juniors.[2]
González had trialled for San Lorenzo de Almagro when he was 14. In May 2018, the 18-year-old signed a four-year deal with the club, who paid US$65,000 for 80% of his economic rights; two clauses would lead to future payments of $100,000 and $200,000.[2] He was called up for one Argentine Primera División game on 7 October, remaining unused in a 2–0 loss at Banfield.[3] In June 2019, he was loaned to Nueva Chicago of the Primera B Nacional without the option to purchase.[4]
Remaining in the second tier but returning to his home province, González moved to Gimnasia Mendoza for 2020. He said that he had not adapted to football in Buenos Aires or the elite league.[5] In July 2021 he went back to Deportivo Maipú on a deal until the end of 2024.[6] He scored eight goals and assisted seven in 2023, as his team missed out on promotion.[7][8]
Before the start of 2024, Sporting Cristal of the Peruvian Primera División announced the signing of González on a three-year deal, taking him out of Argentina for the first time in his career.[8] On 9 March, he equalised in a 2–1 win away to capital city rivals Alianza Lima.[9] In early September, having contributed 12 goals and a leading 14 assists, he was estimated to be the most valuable player in the league with a transfer value of €1.8 million.[1]
Personal life
editBy the time of his first professional contract at 18, González already had several tattoos, including of the Virgin Mary and a rosary. He said that he dedicated all of his goals to God.[2]
References
edit- ^ a b Galiano, Renzo (3 September 2024). "Santiago González se revaloriza en el mercado internacional: es el futbolista más valioso de la Liga 1" [Santiago González is revalued in the international market: he is the most valuable footballer in Liga 1] (in Spanish). Infobae. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
- ^ a b c Raino, Walter Daniel (19 May 2018). "San Lorenzo se aseguró a su primer refuerzo: Santiago "El Mágico" González" [San Lorenzo secured their first addition: Santiago "The Wizard" González"]. Clarín (in Spanish). Retrieved 25 September 2024.
- ^ Caputo, Germán Leandro (6 October 2018). "Todo listo para enfrentar a Banfield por la Superliga" [Everything ready to take on Banfield in the Superliga] (in Spanish). Retrieved 25 September 2024.
- ^ Plano, Juan Pablo (29 June 2019). "Firmó el "Mágico" González" ["Wizard" González signed] (in Spanish). Mundo Ascenso. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
- ^ "Santiago González: "No dudé en venir a Gimnasia porque quiero jugar en Mendoza"" [Santiago González: "I never doubted coming to Gimnasia because I want to play in Mendoza"] (in Spanish). Interior Futbolero. 13 December 2019. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
- ^ Molina, Cristian (8 July 2021). "Santiago González regresa a Maipú" [Santiago González returns to Maipú] (in Spanish). Mundo Ascenso. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
- ^ Burgoa, Lucas (14 December 2023). "Un histórico sudamericano va por una figura de Maipú para jugar la Libertadores" [A historic South American team is going for a Maipú figure to play in the Libertadores]. Mendoza Post (in Spanish). Retrieved 25 September 2024.
- ^ a b Benedetti, Eliezer (20 December 2023). "Sporting Cristal anunció fichaje de extremo argentino de 24 años que marcó ocho goles el [sic] 2023" [Sporting Cristal announced the signing of 24-year-old Argentine winger who scored eight goals in 2023] (in Spanish). Infobae. Retrieved 25 September 2024.
- ^ Ubillus, Mauricio (10 March 2024). "Prestigioso portal destacó a Santiago González tras triunfo de Cristal: "La figura"" [Prestigious portal highlighted Santiago González after Cristal triumph: "The figure"]. Libero (in Spanish). Retrieved 25 September 2024.