The first hero of modern Girona

GironaEvoking the name of Miguel Ángel González (Terrassa, 1980) at Montilivi still brings a tear to the eye. The former Catalan centre-back was the scorer of the goal that saw Girona return to the Second Division after almost fifty years, on a very special matchday against Ceuta in 2008. That shot encapsulates his seven years and 249 matches at the club, which elevate him to the altar of the chosen ones. That Girona was the embryo of the Girona that would reach the Champions League. The goal turned eighteen a few days ago. So it's now of legal age.

His life on the pitch was a constant grind: he started at the defunct Barça C, where he was Víctor Valdés's guardian, to end up as the captain of Sabadell and retire at Rubí and in Primera Catalana. He experienced promotions and relegations, and suffered non-payments, deceptions, and scams. He could write a book, if he wanted to.

The start in the banquetes also has juice. He is the coach of Olímpic La Garriga, whom he has promoted from Third to Second Catalan after coming back from a 2-0 deficit against Sils behind closed doors in a memorable final, but with the stain of a regrettable brawl in the first leg in which chairs, tables, and fences flew.

Migue leaves no one indifferent. In memory, the gesture of Javi Salamero, the sporting director of Girona when the '22' from Girona decided that his name would go down in history. That June 15, Salamero became the father of a boy, Julen. In recognition of the footballer, he registered him as Julen Miguel. It is unknown if the mother had a say.