In Piraeus, where Olympiacos supporters tend to recognise a player quickly when he delivers, Armando González is beginning to make his mark. The Mexican forward, known as “Hormiga”, was met by young fans outside the stadium after his side’s latest Greek league victory, stopping to sign shirts, pose for photographs and spend time with those waiting for him.
The attention followed a productive few days for González. Having returned to the starting line-up in the domestic championship after a spell among the substitutes, he had also scored the decisive goal for Olympiacos in their Europa League match against Sparta. His recent contribution has brought him closer to the club’s public as well as the team.
Footage from Greece showed supporters calling the striker by his Spanish nickname rather than attempting a Greek version of it. One fan even addressed González in Spanish, first asking him to score in the next match before raising the target to a hat-trick.
The reception offered a small but clear indication of the growing affection around the Mexican attacker, whose European goal has added momentum to his return to prominence in Athens.
A cup trip offers the next chance
Olympiacos are back in action on Wednesday, travelling to face GS Marko in the Greek Cup. The fixture gives González another opportunity to collect minutes and extend the form that has followed his winning strike in Europe.
After regaining a place in the league side and deciding the Europa League encounter with Sparta, “Hormiga” heads into the cup tie with supporters already hoping that his next goal will arrive soon.
