Mario González (footballer, born 1996)

Mario González Gutiérrez (born 25 February 1996) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays for American club Los Angeles FC. Mainly a forward, he can also play as a winger.

Villarreal
Born in Villarcayo de Merindad de Castilla la Vieja, Province of Burgos, Castile and León, González joined Villarreal CF's youth system in 2012. On 30 August 2014, he made his senior debut for the C team, starting in a 3–1 home loss against CD Castellón in the Tercera División.

González scored his first senior goal on 5 October 2014, the third in a 4–0 home victory over FC Jove Español San Vicente. He added a brace against Orihuela CF on 14 December, two more against Benigànim and Ontinyent CF in the following season, and a hat-trick in a 6–1 rout of CD Acero on 28 November 2015.

González made his first-team debut on 17 August 2016, coming on as a second-half substitute for Rafael Santos Borré in a 2–1 home loss to AS Monaco FC in the play-off round of the UEFA Champions League. His first match in La Liga was three days later, when he replaced Alexandre Pato in the 1–1 draw at Granada CF.

In July 2019, González signed a one-year deal with French Ligue 2 club Clermont Foot. A year later, after exercising an option in his contract, he returned to Villarreal on a two-year deal.

González went on loan to Portugal's C.D. Tondela in the summer of 2020. He scored a career-best 15 times during his spell (ranking fourth in the Primeira Liga individual charts for the campaign), including three in 12 minutes in a 3–2 away win against Moreirense FC.

Braga
On 1 July 2021, González joined S.C. Braga of the same country and league on a four-year contract, for a reported €1.5 million. The following 31 January, he returned to his home country after agreeing to a six-month loan with CD Tenerife.

González was loaned to Belgian Pro League side Oud-Heverlee Leuven for 2022–23, with an option to buy. Although he scored 15 goals in 24 appearances in all competitions, the clause was not exercised and he returned to the Estádio Municipal de Braga.

Los Angeles FC
On 22 July 2023, Braga sold González to Major League Soccer club Los Angeles FC for a reported fee of €2.3 million. He scored his only goal on 26 August, in a 2–1 defeat at Charlotte FC.

González returned to the Spanish Segunda División in January 2024, on a five-month loan at Sporting de Gijón.

Career statistics


Honours
Individual
 * Primeira Liga Forward of the Month: April 2021