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An Ode to Pablo: El Mago
Pablo Hernández arrived at Leeds United on loan in 2016. Five years later, he left with 175 appearances, 36 goals, a promotion medal and something much harder to measure: a place in the hearts of Leeds supporters.
Overview
Pablo Hernández arrived at Leeds United on loan in 2016.
Five years later, he left with 175 appearances, 36 goals, a promotion medal and something much harder to measure: a place in the hearts of Leeds supporters.
El Mago
The nickname was perfect.
“El Mago” - the magician.
Hernández could see passes other players didn't appear to know existed.
A disguised flick.
A reverse pass.
A first touch that opened a whole defence.
The occasional ridiculous goal.
He made difficult things look casual.
Leeds United later described him as a legend and recorded 36 goals in 175 games for the club.
From loan signing to icon
Hernández initially arrived from Al-Arabi on loan at the beginning of the 2016-17 campaign before the move became permanent.
His first Leeds goal came against Cardiff City.
The importance of his signing became clearer over time.
Leeds had spent years looking for players who could make the difference between a decent Championship side and a promotion contender.
Pablo was one of them.
The Swansea goal
There is one moment that will always be attached to Hernández.
Swansea City away.
The date was 12 July 2020.
Leeds were chasing promotion after the long COVID-enforced interruption to the season.
With five minutes remaining, Hernández collected the ball and fired home.
Swansea 0-1 Leeds.
It was a huge goal in Leeds' promotion campaign.
Why supporters adored him
The affection for Pablo was slightly different from the affection for some other Leeds heroes.
Partly it was his football.
Partly it was his personality.
Partly it was timing.
He arrived when Leeds were trying to find themselves again and remained through the Bielsa years, promotion and the return to the Premier League.
And then there was the famous nickname.
So loved was “Pablo” that supporters have turned it into a running joke that there may be more Leeds fans’ dogs to have been named “Pablo” than almost any other name.
Why Pablo matters
Hernández wasn't Leeds' biggest signing.
He wasn't its record scorer.
He wasn't its longest-serving player.
But when people remember the football of Bielsa's Leeds, they remember Pablo.
And that is the point.
Some footballers are measured in numbers.
Some become memories.
Pablo became both.