Santiago González (Argentine footballer)
{{Short description|Argentine footballer (born 1999)}}
{{Infobox football biography
|embed =
|name = Santiago González
|image =
|upright =
|alt =
|caption =
|full_name = Santiago Emanuel González Puga
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1999|07|25|df=yes}}
|birth_place = San Martín, Mendoza, Argentina
|height = 1.69 m
|position = Winger
|currentclub = Sporting Cristal
|clubnumber = 7
|youthyears1 =
|youthclubs1 =
|years1 = 2016–2017
|clubs1 = Deportivo Guaymallén
|caps1 =
|goals1 =
|years2 = 2016–2017
|clubs2 = → Rodeo del Medio (loan)
|caps2 =
|goals2 =
|years3 = 2017–2018
|clubs3 = Deportivo Maipú
|caps3 = 24
|goals3 = 8
|years4 = 2018–2019
|clubs4 = San Lorenzo
|caps4 = 0
|goals4 = 0
|years5 = 2019
|clubs5 = → Nueva Chicago (loan)
|caps5 = 11
|goals5 = 0
|years6 = 2020–2021
|clubs6 = Gimnasia Mendoza
|caps6 = 23
|goals6 = 2
|years7 = 2021–2023
|clubs7 = Deportivo Maipú
|caps7 = 91
|goals7 = 12
|years8 = 2024–
|clubs8 = Sporting Cristal
|caps8 = 29
|goals8 = 12
|nationalyears1 =
|nationalteam1 =
|nationalcaps1 =
|nationalgoals1 =
|medaltemplates =
|club-update = 15:02, 25 September 2024 (UTC)
|nationalteam-update =
}}
Santiago Emanuel González Puga (born 25 July 1999) is an Argentine footballer who plays as a winger for Peruvian club Sporting Cristal.
Career
Born 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).{{cite news |last1=Galiano |first1=Renzo |title=Santiago González se revaloriza en el mercado internacional: es el futbolista más valioso de la Liga 1|trans-title=Santiago González is revalued in the international market: he is the most valuable footballer in Liga 1|url=https://www.infobae.com/peru/deportes/2024/09/04/santiago-gonzalez-se-revaloriza-en-el-mercado-internacional-es-el-futbolista-mas-valioso-de-la-liga-1/ |access-date=25 September 2024 |publisher=Infobae |date=3 September 2024 |language=Spanish}} 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.
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.{{cite news |last1=Raino |first1=Walter Daniel |title=San Lorenzo se aseguró a su primer refuerzo: Santiago "El Mágico" González|trans-title=San Lorenzo secured their first addition: Santiago "The Wizard" González"|url=https://www.clarin.com/deportes/futbol/san-lorenzo-aseguro-primer-refuerzo-santiago-magico-gonzalez_0_HJ1Cd4pCG.html |access-date=25 September 2024 |work=Clarín |date=19 May 2018 |language=Spanish}} He was called up for one Argentine Primera División game on 7 October, remaining unused in a 2–0 loss at Banfield.{{cite news |last1=Caputo |first1=Germán Leandro |title=Todo listo para enfrentar a Banfield por la Superliga|trans-title=Everything ready to take on Banfield in the Superliga|url=https://sanlorenzoprimero.com.ar/noticias/todo-listo-para-enfrentar-a-banfield-por-la-superliga/ |access-date=25 September 2024 |date=6 October 2018 |language=Spanish}} In June 2019, he was loaned to Nueva Chicago of the Primera B Nacional without the option to purchase.{{cite news |last1=Plano |first1=Juan Pablo |title=Firmó el "Mágico" González|trans-title="Wizard" González signed |url=https://www.mundoascenso.com.ar/noticia/104594-firmo-el-magico-gonzalez |access-date=25 September 2024 |publisher=Mundo Ascenso |date=29 June 2019 |language=Spanish}}
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.{{cite news |title=Santiago González: "No dudé en venir a Gimnasia porque quiero jugar en Mendoza"|trans-title=Santiago González: "I never doubted coming to Gimnasia because I want to play in Mendoza"|url=https://interiorfutbolero.com.ar/santiago-gonzalez-no-dude-en-venir-a-gimnasia-porque-quiero-jugar-en-mendoza/ |access-date=25 September 2024 |publisher=Interior Futbolero |date=13 December 2019 |language=Spanish}} In July 2021 he went back to Deportivo Maipú on a deal until the end of 2024.{{cite news |last1=Molina |first1=Cristian |title=Santiago González regresa a Maipú|trans-title=Santiago González returns to Maipú |url=https://www.mundoascenso.com.ar/noticia/128024-santiago-gonzalez-regresa-a-maipu |access-date=25 September 2024 |publisher=Mundo Ascenso |date=8 July 2021 |language=Spanish}} He scored eight goals and assisted seven in 2023, as his team missed out on promotion.{{cite news |last1=Burgoa |first1=Lucas |title=Un histórico sudamericano va por una figura de Maipú para jugar la Libertadores|trans-title=A historic South American team is going for a Maipú figure to play in the Libertadores|url=https://www.mendozapost.com/deportes/historico-club-sudamericano-quiere-figura-maipu-para-jugar-libertadores-2024/ |access-date=25 September 2024 |work=Mendoza Post |date=14 December 2023 |language=Spanish}}{{cite news |last1=Benedetti |first1=Eliezer |title=Sporting Cristal anunció fichaje de extremo argentino de 24 años que marcó ocho goles el [sic] 2023|trans-title=Sporting Cristal announced the signing of 24-year-old Argentine winger who scored eight goals in 2023 |url=https://www.infobae.com/peru/2023/12/21/sporting-cristal-anuncio-fichaje-de-extremo-argentino-de-24-anos-que-marco-ocho-goles-el-2023/|access-date=25 September 2024 |publisher=Infobae |date=20 December 2023 |language=Spanish}}
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. On 9 March, he equalised in a 2–1 win away to capital city rivals Alianza Lima.{{cite news |last1=Ubillus |first1=Mauricio |title=Prestigioso portal destacó a Santiago González tras triunfo de Cristal: "La figura"|trans-title=Prestigious portal highlighted Santiago González after Cristal triumph: "The figure" |url=https://libero.pe/futbol-peruano/sporting-cristal/2024/03/10/prestigioso-portal-internacional-destaco-santiago-gonzalez-triunfo-sporting-cristal-alianza-lima-figura-liga-1-298600 |access-date=25 September 2024 |work=Libero |date=10 March 2024 |language=Spanish}} 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.
Personal life
By 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.
References
{{reflist}}
{{Sporting Cristal squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gonzalez, Santiago}}
Category:Footballers from Mendoza Province
Category:Argentine men's footballers
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Deportivo Guaymallén players
Category:Deportivo Maipú players
Category:Gimnasia y Esgrima de Mendoza footballers
Category:Sporting Cristal footballers
Category:Primera Nacional players
Category:Torneo Federal A players
Category:Peruvian Primera División players
Category:Argentine expatriate men's footballers
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Peru