Lucho González

Luis Óscar "Lucho" González (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈlutʃo ɣonˈsales];[3] born 19 January 1981) is an Argentine former professional footballer. A versatile midfielder who was able to play in different positions but mainly in the centre, he was well known for his fierce shot, passing skills and hardworking style, being affectionately known as El Comandante (the commander) due to his leadership skills.[4][5]

For other people named Luis González, see Luis González (disambiguation).

Lucho González
González playing with Marseille in 2010
Personal information
Full name Luis Óscar González[1]
Date of birth (1981-01-19) 19 January 1981[2]
Place of birth Buenos Aires, Argentina[2]
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)[2]
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
1995–1998 Huracán
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1998–2002 Huracán 111 (12)
2002–2005 River Plate 82 (17)
2005–2009 Porto 111 (31)
2009–2012 Marseille 87 (15)
2012–2014 Porto 57 (8)
2014–2015 Al-Rayyan 26 (8)
2015–2016 River Plate 17 (1)
2016–2021 Athletico Paranaense 103 (4)
Total 594 (96)
National team
2004 Argentina U23 12 (4)
2003–2011 Argentina 45 (6)
Teams managed
2022 Athletico Paranaense (assistant)
Honours
Men's football
Representing  Argentina
Olympic Games
2004 AthensTeam
Copa América
Runner-up2004 Peru
Runner-up2007 Venezuela
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

After starting with Huracán and River Plate, he signed for Porto in 2005, going on to have two separate spells at the club and appear in more than 200 competitive games, winning ten major titles. He also played in France with Marseille, Al-Rayyan in Qatar and Athletico Paranaense in Brazil.

An Argentine international on 45 occasions, González represented his country in the 2006 World Cup and two Copa América tournaments.

Club career

Early years and Porto

Born in Buenos Aires, González began his career at Club Atlético Huracán at the age of 14, making his Primera División debut on 29 April 1999 in a 1–2 home loss against Racing Club de Avellaneda. Three years later he transferred to another side in his hometown, Club Atlético River Plate, where he was a very important first-team member in the conquest of back-to-back Clausura tournaments, contributing a total of 56 games and nine goals.

González's performances at River earned him a deal with Portugal's FC Porto in 2005, signing a five-year contract.[6] In his first season he scored ten goals in 30 matches, including braces against Académica de Coimbra (5–1),[7] F.C. Penafiel (3–1)[8] and Vitória de Guimarães (3–1), helping the northerners to the first of their four consecutive Primeira Liga titles.[9]

At Porto, González eventually became team captain. In November 2006, he agreed to an improved five-year deal and, in August of the following year, the club paid €6.65 million to Global Soccer Agencies (later renamed Rio Football Services) to achieve full ownership of the player, activating the clause by rejecting an offer from Everton.[10][11]

González remained a fan favorite at the Estádio do Dragão for the duration of his link. On 22 March 2009, he netted against C.F. Estrela da Amadora in the first leg of the semi-finals of the Taça de Portugal (2–0 home win, 3–2 on aggregate),[12] whilst during the league campaign, he scored nine times in only 23 appearances to help the team to the fourth title in a row; the season ended with the double conquest.[13]

2009–10 season
González warming up for Marseille in 2010

In June 2009, González was sold to Olympique de Marseille in France for a fee of €18 million, with the possibility of an increase to €24 million depending on the player's performance.[14] He scored his first official goal for his new club on 19 September, opening a 4–2 home victory over Montpellier HSC,[15] and also found the net on 26 November in the 1–1 draw with A.C. Milan in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League, at the San Siro.[16] On 5 December, again in Ligue 1, he scored the 2–1 at OGC Nice in the 77th minute, in an eventual 3–1 defeat of a ten-men side.[17]

González scored against Real Madrid on 8 December 2009, but also missed a penalty kick later in the game in an eventual 1–3 home loss in the Champions League, with the subsequent relegation to the UEFA Europa League,[18] with the team ending their run in the competition at the round of 16. After the winter break, he netted in the 5–1 home thrashing of Valenciennes FC, opening the score in the 33rd minute.[19] Previously, in late January 2010, he also helped Marseille reach the Coupe de la Ligue final, scoring against Lille OSC in the quarter-finals (2–1).[20]

On 28 February 2010, González scored once in a 3–0 away win over Paris Saint-Germain FC, which left L'OM in fourth place.[21] He finished his first season with 32 matches and five goals, winning a league/league cup double.

2010–11 season

González scored his first goal of the campaign on 29 August 2010, in a 1–1 draw at FC Girondins de Bordeaux.[22] A month later, he netted the winning goal against FC Sochaux-Montbéliard, in a 2–1 home win.[23] On 3 November, he grabbed a brace in a 7–0 away rout of MŠK Žilina in the Champions League group phase,[24] as his side were eventually ousted in the last 16 by eventual finalists Manchester United.

On 12 February 2011, González provided an assist for André-Pierre Gignac, helping his team defeat Sochaux 2–1 away from home.[25] In their next fixture, he opened the score in a 2–1 victory against AS Saint-Étienne.[26]

On 11 March 2011, González scored the second goal in a 2–0 defeat of Stade Rennais FC, keeping the pressure on Lille in the title race.[27] He assisted for Benoit Cheyrou's goal in a 1–0 away win over RC Lens early in the following month,[28] and also started in the French League Cup final, won against Montpellier by the same result.[29]

González was linked with a transfer to England's Arsenal in early May 2011 due to his solid performances.[30] But he sought to allay these fears and show his commitment to the club by saying that "I don't know why there are so many things said about this at the moment. It annoys me a bit. At no time has it left my mouth that I wanted to leave or that I didn't feel good here. I have a contract with OM until 2013 and the people at the club seem happy with me."[31]

On 8 May 2011, Marseille faced title challengers Olympique Lyonnais at the Stade de Gerland, and González scored in an eventual 3–2 defeat,[32] with his team eventually finishing second to champions Lille. After the season ended, chairman Jean-Claude Dassier confirmed that the player was seeking an exit from the club.[33]

González lining up for Porto in 2013

2011–12 season

Despite the constant speculation, González remained with Marseille for 2011–12. In the first matchday, he opened the scoring in the 38th minute against Sochaux, in an eventual 2–2 home draw.[34] On 13 September, he netted the game's only goal at Olympiacos F.C. in the Champions League group stage, where he also earned Player of the match accolades.[35]

Return to Porto

On 30 January 2012, after 124 competitive appearances for Marseille, González returned to Porto, signing until June 2014.[36][37] He scored in his first match in his second spell, a 2–0 win against Vitória F.C. in the Taça da Liga.[38]

González opened a 2–0 home victory over S.C. Olhanense on 31 March 2012, for his first league goal since returning.[39]

Later years

On 27 January 2014, González signed with Qatari club Al-Rayyan SC, initially until June.[40] On 16 September 2016, after a second stint with River Plate, the 35-year-old joined Brazil's Club Athletico Paranaense.[41]

González announced his retirement on 27 May 2021, at the age of 40.[42]

International career

Under the guidance of Marcelo Bielsa, González earned his first cap for the Argentine national team on 31 January 2003 against Honduras.[43] He went on to represent the nation in the 2004 Copa América, scoring two goals during the tournament as the country lost the final on penalties to Brazil.[44]

González also played with the side that won the gold medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics.[45] In 2006, he was selected for the 2006 FIFA World Cup in which Argentina, managed by José Pekerman, lost to hosts Germany in the quarter-finals on penalties.[46]

Subsequently, González was part of the Alfio Basile–led squad at 2007 Copa América, where the Albiceleste was again defeated by Brazil in the decisive match, now 3–0.[47]

Career statistics

Club

[48][49][50][51]

Club Season League National Cup[lower-alpha 1] League Cup[lower-alpha 2] Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Huracán 1998–99 Primera División 70————70
1999–2000 Primera B Nacional 355————355
2000–01 Primera División 343————343
2001–02 Primera División 354————354
Total 11112————11112
River Plate 2002–03 Primera División 327——10[lower-alpha 3]1—428
2003–04 Primera División 242——17[lower-alpha 4]3—415
2004–05 Primera División 268——11[lower-alpha 5]1—379
Total 8217——385—12022
Porto 2005–06 Primeira Liga 301041—6[lower-alpha 6]1—4012
2006–07 Primeira Liga 30900—8[lower-alpha 6]3003812
2007–08 Primeira Liga 28352007[lower-alpha 6]300408
2008–09 Primeira Liga 23931109[lower-alpha 6]21[lower-alpha 7]03712
Total 11131124103091015544
Marseille 2009–10 Ligue 1 32500418[lower-alpha 8]2—448
2010–11 Ligue 1 36810408[lower-alpha 6]21[lower-alpha 9]05010
2011–12 Ligue 1 19220206[lower-alpha 6]11[lower-alpha 9]0303
Total 8715301012252012421
Porto 2011–12 Primeira Liga 12100222[lower-alpha 10]000163
2012–13 Primeira Liga 29621418[lower-alpha 6]21[lower-alpha 7]04410
2013–14 Primeira Liga 16120106[lower-alpha 6]21[lower-alpha 7]1264
Total 5784173164218617
Al-Rayyan 2013–14 Qatar Stars League 10100—4[lower-alpha 11]1—142
2014–15 Qatari Second Division 16740—7[lower-alpha 12]0—277
Total 26840—111—419
River Plate 2015 Primera División 9100—8[lower-alpha 13]03[lower-alpha 14]0201
2016 Primera División 8000—3[lower-alpha 5]1–111
Total 17100—11130312
Athletico Paranaense 2016 Série A 120————120
2017 Série A 26231—12[lower-alpha 5]35[lower-alpha 15]0466
2018 Série A 27160—12[lower-alpha 16]000451
2019 Série A 17170—4[lower-alpha 5]03[lower-alpha 17]0311
2020 Série A 12020—6[lower-alpha 5]24[lower-alpha 15]0242
2021 Série A ———2[lower-alpha 16]00020
Total 944181—36512016010
Career total 5859641618416430201828137
  1. Includes the Taça de Portugal, Coupe de France, Emir of Qatar Cup and Copa do Brasil
  2. Includes the Taça da Liga and Coupe de la Ligue
  3. One appearance in Copa Sudamericana, nine appearances and one goal in Copa Libertadores
  4. Seven appearances in Copa Sudamericana, ten appearances and three goals in Copa Libertadores
  5. Appearances in Copa Libertadores
  6. Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  7. Appearance(s) in Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira
  8. Five appearances and two goals in UEFA Champions League, three appearances in UEFA Europa League
  9. Appearance(s) in Trophée des Champions
  10. Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  11. Appearances in AFC Champions League
  12. Appearances in GCC Champions League
  13. Four appearances in Copa Libertadores, four appearances in Copa Sudamericana
  14. Two appearances in FIFA Club World Cup, one appearance in J.League Cup / Copa Sudamericana Championship
  15. Appearances in Campeonato Paranaense
  16. Appearances in Copa Sudamericana
  17. Two appearances in Recopa Sudamericana, one appearance in J.League Cup / Copa Sudamericana Championship

International goals
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result CompetitionRef.
131 January 2003Olímpico Metropolitano, San Pedro Sula, Honduras Honduras1–21–3Friendly[52]
28 February 2003Orange Bowl, Miami, United States United States0–10–1Friendly[53]
37 July 2004Elías Aguirre, Chiclayo, Peru Ecuador6–16–12004 Copa América[54]
420 July 2004Estadio Nacional, Lima, Peru Colombia2–03–02004 Copa América[55]
59 October 2004Estadio Monumental, Buenos Aires, Argentina Uruguay1–04–22006 World Cup qualification[56]
61 April 2009Hernando Siles, La Paz, Bolivia Bolivia1–61–62010 World Cup qualification[57]

Honours
González after winning the 2011 Trophée des Champions

Huracán

River Plate

Porto

Marseille

Al-Rayyan

Athletico Paranaense

Argentina

Individual

References
  1. "2006 FIFA World Cup Germany List of Players" (PDF). FIFA. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 June 2019.
  2. "Lucho González" (in Portuguese). Mais Futebol. Retrieved 26 March 2020.
  3. In isolation, González is pronounced [ɡonˈsales]. The corresponding Standard European pronunciation is [ɡonˈθaleθ].
  4. El retorno de "El Comandante" Lucho González, el hijo pródigo del Oporto (The return of "El Comandante" Lucho González, Porto's prodigal son) Archived 23 December 2017 at the Wayback Machine; El Diario Vasco, 31 January 2012 (in Spanish)
  5. Lucho: «El Comandante? Não comando ninguém» (Lucho: "El Comandante? I don't command anyone"); Record, 4 December 2012 (in Portuguese)
  6. "Lucho to land at Porto". UEFA. 18 April 2005. Retrieved 6 October 2010.
  7. "FC Porto-Académica, 5–1 (Lucho González 11, 90+3, Lisandro López 19, 77, César Peixoto 70; Marcel 90+4)" (in Portuguese). Record. 19 November 2005. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
  8. "FC Porto-Penafiel, 3–1: Nem deu para assustar" [FC Porto-Penafiel, 3–1: Not even close to a scare] (in Portuguese). Record. 18 December 2005. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
  9. "FC Porto derrota Guimarães por 3–1" [FC Porto defeat Guimarães by 3–1] (in Portuguese). Público. 30 April 2006. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
  10. "Lucho staying at Porto". UEFA. 7 August 2007. Retrieved 6 October 2010.
  11. Relatórios de contas 2006–2007 (Finance reports 2006–2007) Archived 27 December 2009 at the Wayback Machine; FC Porto, 2007 (in Portuguese)
  12. "Dragão cheira final do Jamor" [Dragon smells Jamor final] (in Portuguese). Correio da Manhã. 23 March 2009. Retrieved 24 August 2018.
  13. Travassos, Nuno (31 May 2009). "Taça de Portugal: F.C. Porto-P. Ferreira, 1–0 (crónica)" [Portuguese Cup: F.C. Porto-P. Ferreira, 1–0 (match report)] (in Portuguese). Mais Futebol. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
  14. "Comunicado da FC Porto – Futebol, SAD" [FC Porto – Football, PLSC announcement] (in Portuguese). FC Porto. 30 June 2009. Archived from the original on 12 July 2009. Retrieved 2 July 2009.
  15. Marseille 4–2 Montpellier; ESPN Soccernet, 19 September 2009
  16. Milan kept waiting by spirited OM; UEFA, 26 November 2009
  17. Nice 1–3 Marseille; ESPN Soccernet, 5 December 2009
  18. Madrid march on as Marseille miss out; UEFA, 8 December 2009
  19. Marseille 5–1 Valenciennes; ESPN Soccernet, 7 February 2010
  20. Marseille 2–1 Lille; ESPN Soccernet, 27 January 2010
  21. Paris Saint-Germain 0–3 Marseille; ESPN Soccernet, 28 February 2010
  22. Bordeaux peg back ten-men; ESPN Soccernet, 29 August 2010
  23. Marseille 2–1 Sochaux; ESPN Soccernet, 25 September 2010
  24. Gignac leads the way for majestic Marseille; UEFA, 3 November 2010
  25. Sochaux 1–2 Marseille; ESPN Soccernet, 12 February 2011
  26. Remy goal sends Marseille second; ESPN Soccernet, 19 February 2011
  27. Ligue 1 Preview: Stade Rennes – Olympique De Marseille; Goal, 11 March 2011
  28. "Cheyrou libère l'OM" [Cheyrou frees l’OM] (in French). Football 365. 3 April 2011. Retrieved 1 May 2016.
  29. Granel, Cédric (22 April 2011). "L'OM conserve son titre" [L'OM retain their title] (in French). Le Figaro. Retrieved 1 May 2016.
  30. Olympique Marseille's Lucho Gonzalez on Roma radar; Goal, 1 May 2011
  31. Olympique de Marseille’s Lucho Gonzalez calms fears of his departure; Goal, 15 May 2011
  32. Lyon 3–2 Marseille; ESPN Soccernet, 8 May 2011
  33. Lucho wants to quit Marseille; ESPN Soccernet, 1 June 2011
  34. Remy earns draw for Marseille; ESPN Soccernet, 6 August 2011
  35. Marseille make winning start at Olympiacos; UEFA, 13 September 2011
  36. Gonzalez to return to Porto; ESPN Soccernet, 30 January 2012
  37. Lucho regressa a casa (Lucho returns home) Archived 2 February 2012 at the Wayback Machine; FC Porto, 31 January 2012 (in Portuguese)
  38. "Taca da Liga semi-finals set". PortuGOAL. 5 February 2012. Retrieved 5 February 2012.
  39. Last-gasp Bruno Cesar fires Benfica to vital win over Braga; PortuGOAL, 1 April 2012
  40. "Lucho González se va a Qatar" [Lucho González goes to Qatar] (in Spanish). Fox Sports. 27 January 2014. Retrieved 6 November 2014.
  41. Silva, Monique (16 September 2016). "Atlético-PR confirma Lucho González, e Autuori elogia: "Animal competitivo"" [Atlético-PR confirm Lucho González, and Autuori praises: "Competitive animal"] (in Portuguese). Globo Esporte. Retrieved 16 September 2016.
  42. "Así se despidió Lucho González" [That is how Lucho González said goodbye] (in Spanish). Olé. 27 May 2021. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
  43. Homenaje a Lucho Gonzalez (Homage to Lucho Gonzalez); Taringa! (in Spanish)
  44. World champs beat Argentina on penalties in Copa America final; Sports Illustrated, 25 July 2004
  45. Ramón Ciceri, Juan José (28 August 2019). "El plan de Bielsa para jugar por la medalla dorada y cómo fue volver al amateurismo: se cumple el 15 aniversario del primer título del fútbol en los Juegos Olímpicos" [Bielsa's plan to play for gold medal and what it was like to return to amateur status: 15th anniversary of first football title in the Olympic Games] (in Spanish). Infobae. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  46. "Germany 1–1 Argentina". BBC Sport. 30 June 2006. Retrieved 1 May 2016.
  47. "Brasil mantiene la hegemonía continental al imponerse a Argentina 3–0 en la gran final" [Brazil renew continental supremacy after disposing of Argentina 3–0 in the big final] (in Spanish). 20 minutos. 16 July 2007. Retrieved 1 May 2016.
  48. Lucho González at ForaDeJogo
  49. Lucho González – UEFA competition record (archive)
  50. Lucho González at ESPN FC
  51. Lucho González at Soccerway
  52. "No le quedaba otra que la victoria" [They could only win] (in Spanish). Página/12. 1 February 2003. Retrieved 7 August 2019.
  53. "EE.UU. no pudo ante Argentina" [USA could not handle Argentina] (in Spanish). ESPN Deportes. 8 February 2003. Retrieved 7 August 2019.
  54. "Argentina aplasta a Ecuador (6–1) con tres goles de Saviola" [Argentina steamroll Ecuador (6–1) with three goals from Saviola] (in Spanish). El País. 8 July 2004. Retrieved 7 August 2019.
  55. "Argentina venció 3–0 a Colombia y aseguró el undécimo subcampeonato de la Copa América" [Argentina beat Colombia 3–0 and confirmed eleventh Copa América vice-championship] (in Spanish). El Universo. 20 July 2004. Retrieved 7 August 2019.
  56. "Buen debut de José Pekerman de Argentina ante Uruguay" [Good debut of Argentina's José Pekerman against Uruguay] (in Spanish). El Universo. 10 October 2004. Retrieved 7 August 2019.
  57. "Bolivia humilla a Argentina" [Bolivia humiliate Argentina] (in Spanish). Marca. 1 April 2009. Retrieved 7 August 2019.
  58. "Al Rayyan crowned Qatargas League champions". Qatar Football Association. 18 April 2015. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
  59. Pierrend, José Luis. "South American Team of the Year". RSSSF. Retrieved 14 March 2021.
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