Jorge Alberto González Barillas (born 13 March 1958), popularly known as El Mágico ("The Magical One" or "The Wizard"),[2] is a Salvadoran former professional footballer who played mainly as a forward.

While playing in El Salvador, González became known as Mago but later, upon transferring to Spain, his nickname was slightly changed to Mágico;[2] journalist Francisco "Paco" Perea (1946–2024), while working for the Diario de Cádiz newspaper, was the one who made this adjustment.

González was the principal attraction the first year, but in the following the side was joined by Barcelona and its superstar Diego Maradona,[11] who later claimed that the Salvadoran was "without a doubt amongst the greatest ten players I have ever seen play in all my life.

[16] Despite this, Paris Saint-Germain of France showed interest in signing him[17] as well as Italian teams Atalanta, Fiorentina and Sampdoria, but González chose to stay in Cádiz.

[28] He was also instrumental in leading the nation to the 1982 FIFA World Cup – the second time in history – where he appeared in all three group-stage matches, including the 10–1 loss to Hungary.

[29] A slender and highly creative forward, with superb ball control, technical ability and dribbling skills, González was also known for his quick feet and use of tricks and feints (including the flip flap, the Cruyff turn and the step over), as well as his accuracy with the ball and speed in possession – however, his talent was often overshadowed by his questionable behaviour off the pitch.

[35] His playing style served as an inspiration for Maradona, who was a staunch admirer of the Salvadoran, describing him as one of the ten best players he had ever seen and even stating that "[w]e, in training, always tried to imitate him [González], but we couldn't.

"[39][40][41] González was born to a family of modest means in the Luz neighborhood of San Salvador, one of seven brothers and a single sister.