Jorge Molina (footballer, born 1982)

For the Peruvian footballer, see Jorge Molina (footballer, born 1988).
In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Molina and the second or maternal family name is Vidal.

Jorge Molina
Molina celebrating a goal with Elche in 2010
Personal information
Full name Jorge Molina Vidal[1]
Date of birth (1982-04-22) 22 April 1982 (age 42)[1]
Place of birth Alcoy, Spain
Height 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in)[1]
Position(s) Centre-forward
Youth career
Alcoyano
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2001–2002 Alcoyano 28 (12)
2002–2004 Benidorm 18 (7)
2004–2005 Gandía 22 (5)
2005–2007 Benidorm 72 (34)
2007–2009 Poli Ejido 66 (24)
2009–2010 Elche 38 (26)
2010–2016 Betis 180 (66)
2016–2020 Getafe 147 (46)
2020–2023 Granada 93 (21)
Total 664 (241)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Jorge Molina Vidal (born 22 April 1982) is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a centre-forward.

A late bloomer, he began to play professional football at 25 with Poli Ejido. He represented mainly Betis during his career, achieving two promotions to La Liga and scoring 77 goals in 213 matches in all competitions in the process.[2] In the Spanish top division, he also represented Getafe and Granada, totalling 289 games and 73 goals over nine seasons.[3]

Club career

Early years

Molina was born in Alcoy, Province of Alicante. Until the age of 23, he only played in the Tercera División, representing CD Alcoyano, Benidorm CF and CF Gandía. In 2005 he re-joined Benidorm, now in the Segunda División B.[4]

Molina made his professional debut in 2007–08, playing in the Segunda División with Polideportivo Ejido. It would be a short-lived experience, as his five goals – squad-best, tied with three other players – in 30 matches, were not enough to prevent relegation. On 29 October 2008, he scored a hat-trick in a 5–0 home win against Villarreal CF in the round of 32 of the Copa del Rey (6–1 on aggregate).[5]

In the summer of 2009, both Molina and teammate Juli signed with another side in the second division, Elche CF.[6] His debut season was nothing short of spectacular, as he led the scoring charts with 26; on 19 June 2010, even though none of the teams left had anything to play for, he scored four times in the 4–1 home victory over champions Real Sociedad.[7]

Betis

On 29 June 2010, Molina moved to Andalusia's Real Betis (also in the second tier) for €1.6 million, with the player signing a four-year contract;[8] if his new club managed to promote at the end of the season, Elche were entitled to a €500,000 bonus.[9] He scored 18 league goals in his first year (22 in all competitions), in spite of being sidelined for nearly three months with a knee injury.[10] On 19 January 2011, in the domestic cup, he scored twice against FC Barcelona in a 3–1 home win (6–3 aggregate loss in the quarter-finals), thus ending the Catalans' unbeaten run of 28 games.[11]

The attacking trio of Molina, Rubén Castro and midfielder Achille Emaná totalled more than 50 league goals in 2010–11, as Betis returned to La Liga after two years of absence.[12] He made his debut in the competition at the age of 29, playing 30 minutes in a 1–0 away defeat of Granada CF.[13] He scored his first goal on 15 October 2011, in a 4–1 loss to Real Madrid.[14]

Molina and his team achieved another promotion at the end of the 2014–15 campaign, with him contributing 19 goals.[15]

Getafe

On 24 June 2016, the 34-year-old Molina signed a two-year contract with Getafe CF on a free transfer.[16] He scored 20 goals in his first year, ranking fourth in the individual charts to help his team return to the top flight.[17]

On 31 August 2019, Molina scored in a 1–1 draw against Deportivo Alavés at the age of 37 years and 131 days, becoming the club's oldest player to achieve the feat in the Spanish top tier.[18]

Granada

Molina agreed to a two-year deal with Granada on 25 August 2020.[19] The following 29 April, he scored a header after coming on as a substitute against Barcelona, putting his team 2–1 ahead for their first ever win at the Camp Nou.[20]

On 28 October 2021, Molina scored a last-minute equaliser to salvage a 1–1 draw against Getafe.[21] On 13 December, he scored in the same fashion for the same result, this time against Cádiz CF.[22] In the next match, he scored his first hat-trick in La Liga to help to a 4–1 victory over RCD Mallorca and, in doing so at the age of 39 years and 241 days, he not only became the oldest player to do so,[23][24] breaking the previous record held by Joaquín (38 years and 140 days), but also became the oldest to net three times in Europe's top five leagues, surpassing the previous mark by Rodrigo Palacio in Serie A (39 years and 86 days).[25] Three days later, Molina scored in his third game in a row, thus becoming the oldest to do so in the main five leagues in the continent, completing the 2–1 comeback defeat of Atlético Madrid; this was also his eighth goal contribution in the last five fixtures, with only Bayer 04 Leverkusen's Patrik Schick having more in the same timeframe.[26]

On 7 May 2022, Molina scored twice against relegation rivals Mallorca in a 6–2 away win, becoming at 40 years and 15 days the oldest player to score a brace in the main division as well as only the second to achieve this after his 40th birthday after Donato.[27] Granada entered the last matchday needing only a win to secure survival amidst a three-way battle with that opposition and Cádiz, but he missed a 72nd-minute penalty in an eventual 0–0 draw at home with RCD Espanyol, allowing Cádiz to stay up while his team was relegated.[28]

On 13 November 2022, Molina closed a 3–2 win over Yeclano Deportivo in the first round of the domestic cup and, at the age of 40 years and 205 days, became the oldest scorer in the history of the tournament, breaking the previous record held by Elche's Nino in 2021 (40 years and 189 days).[29] After never suffering a muscle injury in his two-decade career, he was four games away from renewing when he ruptured his cruciate ligament on 12 March against SD Ponferradina;[30] he still helped his side to achieve promotion in July, and announced his retirement shortly after.[31]

Molina retired with nearly 800 appearances and more than 300 goals to his credit.[30]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[32][33]
Club Season League National cup Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Alcoyano 2001–02 Tercera División 28 12 — — — 28 12
Benidorm 2002–03 30 4 — — — 30 4
2003–04 40 9 2 1 — — 42 10
Gandía 2004–05 22 5 — — — 22 5
Benidorm 2005–06 Segunda División B 35 12 — — — 35 12
2006–07 37 22 2 0 — — 39 22
Total 72 34 2 0 0 0 0 0 74 34
Poli Ejido 2007–08 Segunda División 30 5 1 0 — — 31 5
2008–09 Segunda División B 36 19 6 7 — 2[a] 0 44 26
Total 66 24 7 7 0 0 2 0 75 31
Elche 2009–10 Segunda División 38 26 1 1 — — 39 27
Betis 2010–11 34 18 7 4 — — 41 22
2011–12 La Liga 26 6 2 2 — — 28 8
2012–13 32 13 6 1 — — 38 14
2013–14 32 9 4 1 7[b] 2 — 43 12
2014–15 Segunda División 33 19 4 1 — — 37 20
2015–16 La Liga 23 1 3 0 — — 26 1
Total 180 66 26 9 7 2 0 0 213 77
Getafe 2016–17 Segunda División 39 20 1 0 — 4[c] 2 44 22
2017–18 La Liga 36 7 0 0 — — 36 7
2018–19 38 14 3 2 — — 41 16
2019–20 34 5 2 1 6 1 — 42 7
Total 147 46 6 3 6 1 4 2 163 52
Granada 2020–21 La Liga 33 8 4 4 14[b] 3 — 51 15
2021–22 35 10 2 2 — — 37 12
2022–23 Segunda División 25 3 2 1 — — 27 4
Total 93 21 8 7 14 3 0 0 115 31
Career total 716 247 52 28 27 6 6 2 801 283
  1. ^ Appearances in Segunda División B play-offs
  2. ^ a b Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  3. ^ Appearances in La Liga play-offs

Honours

Betis

Granada

Individual

References

  1. ^ a b c "Jorge Molina" (in Spanish). Getafe CF. Archived from the original on 3 April 2019. Retrieved 24 March 2019.
  2. ^ Cejas, Antonio (12 May 2016). "Jorge Molina: "Para mi hija, ver el escudo del Betis es ver a papá directamente"" [Jorge Molina: "To my daughter, seeing Betis' badge is just like seeing daddy"]. Marca (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 25 April 2019. Retrieved 13 May 2016.
  3. ^ Garteizgoxeascoa Gil, Aimara (16 July 2023). "Jorge Molina colgará las botas, pero seguirá en Granada" [Jorge Molina will hang up his boots, but will remain in Granada]. Diario AS (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 24 July 2023. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
  4. ^ Aguilera, Javier (26 August 2020). "Jorge Molina, una incorporación histórica" [Jorge Molina, historic addition]. Granada Hoy (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 29 April 2021. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
  5. ^ "El Poli Ejido da el sorpresón al hacer una 'manita' al Villarreal" [Poli Ejido shock football world after handing Villarreal a 'fiver']. Marca (in Spanish). 29 October 2008. Archived from the original on 25 June 2013. Retrieved 7 February 2012.
  6. ^ "El Elche ficha a Jorge Molina y Julián Cerdá del Poli Ejido" [Elche sign Jorge Molina and Julián Cerdá from Poli Ejido]. Diario Información (in Spanish). 11 June 2009. Archived from the original on 21 August 2018. Retrieved 14 March 2018.
  7. ^ a b Romero, J. C. (20 June 2010). "Jorge Molina marca los cuatro goles y acaba 'pichichi' de la división de plata" [Jorge Molina scores all four goals to end silver division 'pichichi']. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 26 November 2020. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
  8. ^ "Mercado: Es oficial, el Betis cierra los fichajes de Momo y Jorge Molina" [Market: it's official, Betis close deals for Momo and Jorge Molina] (in Spanish). Goal. 30 June 2010. Archived from the original on 8 July 2010. Retrieved 26 March 2012.
  9. ^ "El Betis hace oficial el fichaje de Jorge Molina" [Betis make Jorge Molina's signing official] (in Spanish). esFutbol. 29 June 2010. Archived from the original on 1 July 2010. Retrieved 29 June 2010.
  10. ^ "Pepe Mel estará sin Jorge Molina tres meses" [Pepe Mel will be without Jorge Molina for three months] (in Spanish). Fútbol de Segunda. 6 September 2010. Archived from the original on 11 July 2011. Retrieved 26 January 2011.
  11. ^ "Betis ends Barcelona's unbeaten streak". ESPN. 19 January 2011. Archived from the original on 11 July 2015. Retrieved 26 January 2011.
  12. ^ Espina, José A. (4 September 2011). "Molina y Rubén prometen goles también en Primera" [Molina and Rubén also promise goals in Primera]. Diario AS (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 6 May 2014. Retrieved 28 March 2014.
  13. ^ Pineda, Rafael (27 August 2011). "Rubén Castro hace justicia" [Rubén Castro does justice]. El País (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 16 April 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2011.
  14. ^ "Higuain bags hat-trick". ESPN Soccernet. 15 October 2011. Archived from the original on 5 September 2012. Retrieved 23 October 2011.
  15. ^ a b Pineda, Rafael (25 May 2015). "Las siete claves del ascenso del Betis" [The seven keys of Betis' promotion]. El País (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 15 May 2019. Retrieved 24 October 2017.
  16. ^ "Jorge Molina ficha por el Getafe" [Jorge Molina signs for Getafe]. ABC (in Spanish). 24 June 2016. Archived from the original on 24 October 2017. Retrieved 24 October 2017.
  17. ^ "Jorge Molina (Getafe): 20 goles, 5 asistencias, 53 tiros y 43 regates" [Jorge Molina (Getafe): 20 goals, 5 assists, 53 shots and 43 dribbles]. Marca (in Spanish). 27 June 2017. Archived from the original on 24 October 2017. Retrieved 24 October 2017.
  18. ^ Munday, Billy (31 August 2019). "Alaves maintain unbeaten start with draw at Getafe". Marca. Archived from the original on 1 September 2019. Retrieved 1 September 2019.
  19. ^ "Jorge Molina ficha por el Granada CF para las próximas dos temporadas" [Jorge Molina signs for Granada CF for the following two seasons] (in Spanish). Granada CF. 25 August 2020. Archived from the original on 25 August 2020. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
  20. ^ "Barcelona 1–2 Granada: Hosts miss chance to go top of La Liga with defeat". BBC Sport. 29 April 2021. Archived from the original on 29 April 2021. Retrieved 29 April 2021.
  21. ^ López, José Luis (28 October 2021). "1–1: Jorge Molina castiga a 'su' Getafe" [1–1: Jorge Molina punishes 'his' Getafe]. Mundo Deportivo (in Spanish). Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  22. ^ "Cádiz-Granada: resultado, resumen y goles del partido de Liga (1–1)" [Cádiz-Granada: result, highlights and goals of the League match (1–1)]. Diario de Cádiz (in Spanish). 13 December 2021. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  23. ^ "Jorge Molina, the hat-trick magician". La Liga. 22 December 2021. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  24. ^ "Oldest player to score a hat-trick in La Liga". Guinness World Records. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  25. ^ Salahudeen, Sulayman (22 December 2021). "5 oldest hat-trick scorers in Europe's top five leagues since 2000". Sportskeeda. Archived from the original on 29 January 2024. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  26. ^ "Granada 2–1 Atlético Madrid: João Félix scores early, but visitors fall to fourth La Liga loss in a row in Andalucia". Eurosport. 22 December 2021. Archived from the original on 25 January 2022. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  27. ^ Aramendia, Arkaitz (10 May 2022). "Jorge Molina, goleador de récord pasados los cuarenta" [Jorge Molina, record scorer after forty]. Deia (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 29 January 2024. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  28. ^ Azzoni, Tales (22 May 2022). "Granada relegated in Spain after missed penalty". USA Today. Archived from the original on 29 January 2024. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  29. ^ "Jorge Molina becomes the oldest goalscorer in Copa del Rey history". OneFootball. 14 November 2022. Archived from the original on 29 January 2024. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  30. ^ a b Contreras, Emilio (15 October 2023). "Jorge Molina, goleador hasta los 40: "A mi carrera le sobró aquel penalti y le faltó la guinda de la selección"" [Jorge Molina, scorer until he was 40: "My career did not need that penalty and the icing on the cake for the national team was missing"]. Marca (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 10 November 2023. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  31. ^ Pérez, Juande (14 July 2023). "Otro histórico del Betis que se retira" [Another Betis legend retires]. Estadio Deportivo (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 22 July 2023. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
  32. ^ Jorge Molina at BDFutbol
  33. ^ Jorge Molina at Soccerway
  34. ^ "Betis: "El Betis puede ganarle a cualquiera", avisa Pepe Mel al Real Madrid" [Betis: "Betis can beat anybody", Pepe Mel warns Real Madrid] (in Spanish). Goal. 14 October 2011. Archived from the original on 11 January 2022. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
  35. ^ Arenillas, Álvaro (27 May 2023). "Paco López no recuerda algo igual" [Paco López does not remember anything like this]. Estadio Deportivo (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 2 June 2023. Retrieved 2 June 2023.