Jorge Rafael Massó Mustelier

Former Cuban footballer who performed in the 1970s and 1980s, participant in the Olympic Games and world cup qualifiers, medalist in Pan American Games and Central American and Caribbean Games.

The fifty-something Black man who had dazzled everyone with his ball handling was none other than the incomparable Cuban star of the fields. Brain of the Cuban National Team for nearly 20 years, he disputed, inch by inch, the supremacy of the Caribbean area with the legendary Haitian striker Emmanuel "Manno" Sanon.

He was born in the city of Santiago de Cuba. At eight months old his parents moved to Havana. During his time as an active player, he measured 1.70 meters in height, weighing 154 pounds.

The Cuban player studied law at the University of Havana, also did so in Physical Culture, a career that he did not complete. He has also worked as a composer and music producer. He is devoted to the Yoruba religion.

Since 1969 he joined the Cuban national team, where he remained until 1986, achieving medals in Pan American Games, Central American and Caribbean Games and participation in two Olympic Games.

In 1967 and 1968, he participated in the Youth Games of Friendship held in Bulgaria and Hungary respectively.

In 1969 at just 19 years old he is called up to the national pre-selection. In 1970 he joined the team for the Central American and Caribbean Games held in Panama, winning the title and the distinction of best player of the event, being part of the ideal eleven.

In 1971, he won a bronze medal at the Pan American Games held in Cali, Colombia.

In 1975 he attended the Pan American Games held in Mexico, where the Caribbean footballer's performance received the most attention from the specialized press at the continental event. Uruguayan coach Washington "Pulpa" Echamendi - then on the bench of León de México - unsuccessfully tried to acquire the Cuban's services.

In 1978 he wins the second title, this at the Central American and Caribbean Games held in Medellín, Colombia.

In 1979, he won a silver medal at the Pan American Games held in San Juan, Puerto Rico. In 1980 he participated in the Olympic Games in Moscow, Soviet Union.

In the 1984 pre-Olympic tournament, he was awarded the golden ball as the tournament's top scorer.

In 1986 he wins the third Central American title, winning the event held in Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic.

In the 1970s he toured with the Cuban team through Vietnam, Korea and Chile.

He was also sought after by the clubs Ferencváros of Hungary, Chicago Sting, United States and Heredia and Saprissa of Costa Rica, as well as the University of Chile.

"You had to look good for the homeland. The limited space to look outward, coupled with the crucial moments of those years, took precedence over any personal satisfaction. It was never my will, aside from the proposals that always existed, to wear a jersey different from Cuba's.

At the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games, they faced Poland, the Olympic champions from the previous edition and third place in the 1974 World Championship held in Germany. About this game that ended zero to zero, he comments.

"We fooled the Europeans. With the score tied at zero, a good opportunity came for us in a play with the ball stopped. I looked for a spot on the corner of the wall. Fariñas passes over the ball. Next, Roldán makes me the pass. I give it back to Fariñas who was back in the play. The Poles fell for the fake… and Fariñas unleashes the left-footed shot that defeats Jan Tomaszewski. We beat Poland! But at the same time, we couldn't beat them. That tangible victory was not in anyone's plans… and a victory by Cuba against the Olympic champion would have ruined the Olympic celebration. Offside! The shout of the central referee, Israeli Abraham Kevin, was heard, who saved Poland's honor against the budding Cuban team."

"Against Iran, the Cuban team was much more effective. Shots from all angles, foreshadowed a rout favorable to the islanders. We were going through our best moment, but the ball wouldn't go into the Iranian goal. That day the field was soaked with water and in the only dangerous action against the Cuban goal, José Francisco Reinoso loses the ball. Then, an Iranian player throwing himself to the ground… puts the ball in the goal. Osan Mazloumi at minute 28 of the first half scored the only goal of the match that would eliminate the islanders from the Olympic tournament.

1978 Qualifier. In the final game against Haiti held at Estadio Silvio Cator in Port-Prince, he had the most chaotic moment when Cuba eliminated Haiti and advanced to the Final Hexagonal with that goal that was almost disallowed to Massó near the end, a decision that resulted in the expulsion of Cuba's best player and which later weighed on the final score favorable to the Haitians two to zero, in the forced third match held in Panama City.

"In those times we depended on his talent. Not being able to count on Massó, our football was neither so exquisite, nor too offensive. The rivals knew how to take advantage of that edge far too well. Said Antonio Garcés Segura, perhaps the best left back in Cuban football.

In August 1989 he officially retires with a farewell match played at Estadio La Tropical. He participates in the musical production of the show, Fiesta Cubana, of the world-renowned Cabaret Tropicana.

Since 1993 he has resided in the town of Río Chico, a locality in Miranda state, close to Caracas, where he dedicates himself to the work of babalao and to the touches of saints in union with his wife Norelkis.

Since then he has chosen to distance himself from the ball. He also shows no motivation to dust off his once highly acclaimed career as a composer and music producer. He resides just over two hours from Caracas, in the town of Río Chico.

He admits that the current violence in the Caracas area has kept him away from any public function or entertainment. "Insecurity in the streets is rampant. Here you can suffer an assault even in your own house. So why risk the danger."

The lawyer has also ruled out a new foray into the law. The life of the now consecrated priest and devoted follower of the Yoruba religion runs through a spiritual retreat. Football is barely a distant reference.

Behind, the bustling Havana. The extraordinary years on University Hill… The Faculty of Law. He studied up to the third year of the degree in sports, physical education and recreation at the Higher Institute of Physical Culture, a career left incomplete due to his father's insistence regarding his eldest daughter Jormara… and obligations at the law office.

Playing guitar and playing football complemented his unique personality. Apart from the vast list of achievements, today he avoids talking about the juggling, the feints, the goals and the dribbles in a career that consumed 20 of the best years. He played at full strength. And the ball always surrendered, embedded in the artist's boot, enjoying the soft touch. A maker of illusions in every movement on the grass. He arrived at the Cuban National Team as a teenager. In the display case stand out titles, medals and individual recognitions. Acclaimed by his compatriots.

Through a popular consultation throughout the Island, the magazine Opina gave him the "Flame of Popularity" in 1983. The chroniclers of the time could not resist the charms of this Cuban phenomenon and paid him special reverence. Impeccable number 15 of the Cubans. Could play anywhere. Suddenly the years of success turn into a crossroads. The tribute match on the mythical La Tropical field in the Cuban capital, in the summer of 1989, marked a turning point. Four years later, he says goodbye to Ithaca. With the musical production "Fiesta Cubana," from the world-renowned Cabaret Tropicana, he lands in Caracas.

Sixteen years have passed. And circumstances are different. Only the duties of a babalao take him from the home panorama that he and his nice wife Norelkis share in total harmony with two cats (daring and mischievous) and two dogs (solitary and gallant). Thus, between "touches and saints," lives the legend… Jorge Rafael Massó Mustelier.

Awards
Flame of popularity from the magazine Opina in 1983