The first hero of modern Girona

GironaEvoking the name of Miguel Ángel González (Terrassa, 1980) at Montilivi still causes a tear or two. The former Catalan center-back was the author of the goal with which Girona returned to the Second Division almost fifty years later, on a very special matchday against Ceuta in 2008. His seven years and 249 matches at the club are summarized in that shot, which elevates 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 is 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 being the captain of Sabadell and retiring 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.

Starting in the stands also has its thing. 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 fight 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 number 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 in this.