Alfonso González

Arturo Alfonso González González (born 5 September 1994), also known as Ponchito, is a Mexican professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Liga MX club Atlas.

Participating for the national team throughout various age groups, González was part of the team that won the 2011 U-17 World Cup. He made his debut with the senior Mexico national team in 2014 in a friendly match against Honduras.

Early life Arturo González was born in Reynosa, Tamaulipas, to Luis Enrique González and Irma González. As a child, he played baseball, the most popular sport in his hometown, However, after breaking an arm he began training in football. In December 2008 and January 2009 he went to the US city of Mission, Texas, to try out for the youth team of Atlas. with a positive verdict from the coaches, he joined to the club's youth academy in 2009. He played a total of 1,315 minutes.

2014–2015 He played in the first match against Tigres on a 0–0 draw. He took part in the 2–0 win over Morelia. In the third match against Jaguares, he scored a spectacular free kick goal in a 4–2 win. He was the man of the match in the game against Pumas after scoring the only goal of the match. He played against Leones Negros on a derby in a 1–0 win in a last-minute win penalty scored by Luis Nery Caballero. He played against Pachuca in a 3–1 loss, scoring a goal. He played against Santos in a 1–1 draw. He played all 90 minutes against Veracruz in another 1–1 draw. He played in a home win against Cruz Azul scoring a goal with a header. He played against Monterrey in a 2–1 away loss. He played against Querétaro in a 2–1 win. He played the Clasico Tapatío against Chivas winning 1–0 with a goal scored from Enrique Pérez.

2015–2016 On 1 July 2016, his move to Monterrey was confirmed.

Monterrey 2016–2017 On March 22, 2017, he scored a goal in a friendly match against Rio Grande Valley FC Toros to open their new HEB stadium. It was the second goal ever in the history of the stadium.

2017–2018 In August, he suffered a cruciate ligament tear in his right knee which left him out of the season.

2019–2020 With Monterrey's victory of the 2019–20 Copa MX, they had obtained the continental treble.

Loan to Pachuca On 1 July 2024, González joined Pachuca on a one-year loan.

International career Youth González competed in the 2011 U-17 World Cup in Mexico. He was given the number 10 shirt for the tournament, and scored his first and only goal of the tournament against Netherlands in the last minutes of the match breaking the tie, and clinching a 3–2 victory for Mexico. He would help the national team reach the final against Uruguay, where he assisted teammate Giovanni Casillas in the last few minutes in a 2–0 victory in the Azteca.

González was left out of the squad for the 2013 CONCACAF U-20 Championship by coach Sergio Almaguer. However, he appeared in the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup hosted in Turkey, appearing in all 4 matches and scoring one goal against Spain in the knockout stage, However, it wasn't enough since Mexico lost 1–2 and were eliminated from the tournament. Gonzalez also appeared in the 2013 and 2014 editions of the Toulon Tournament.

Senior González received his first call-up to the senior national team on 1 October 2014, for two friendly matches against Honduras on 9 October, and Panama on 11 October 2014. He made his debut against Honduras coming in for Marco Fabián in the 76th minute of the game. Arturo became the first youth player from the 2011 U-17 national team squad to make his debut with the national team. Later he was called up again against Netherlands and Belarus on 12 and 18 November.

Career statistics Club

International

MexicoYearAppsGoals 2014 30 2021 10 2023 10 Total 50

Style of play An attacking-midfielder, capable of playing from the left and in a playmaker role, González possesses a good eye for a pass, and is able to beat defenders on occasion with his dribbling ability.

Honours Monterrey Liga MX: Apertura 2019 Copa MX: Apertura 2017, 2019–20 CONCACAF Champions League: 2019, 2021

Mexico Youth FIFA U-17 World Cup: 2011 CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Championship: 2015

Individual Liga MX Player of the Month: September 2021