Eduardo Vargas

Chilean footballer (born 1989) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Eduardo Jesús Vargas Rojas (Spanish pronunciation: [eˈðwaɾðo ˈβaɾɣas];[i] born 20 November 1989) is a Chilean professional footballer who plays as a forward for Liga de Primera club Universidad de Chile.

Full name Eduardo Jesús Vargas Rojas
Date of birth (1989-11-20) 20 November 1989 (age 36)
Place of birth Santiago, Chile
Height 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)[1]
Quick facts Personal information, Full name ...
Eduardo Vargas
Vargas playing for Chile in 2013
Personal information
Full name Eduardo Jesús Vargas Rojas
Date of birth (1989-11-20) 20 November 1989 (age 36)
Place of birth Santiago, Chile
Height 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)[1]
Positions
Team information
Current team
Universidad de Chile
Number 11
Youth career
1999–2002 Internacional de Renca
2003–2004 Deportes Puerto Montt
2005–2006 Cobreloa
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2006 Cobreloa B 12 (2)
2006–2009 Cobreloa 54 (10)
2010–2011 Universidad de Chile 55 (18)
2012–2015 Napoli 19 (0)
2013Grêmio (loan) 18 (6)
2014Valencia (loan) 17 (3)
2014–2015Queens Park Rangers (loan) 21 (3)
2015–2017 TSG Hoffenheim 29 (2)
2017–2020 Tigres UANL 120 (29)
2020–2024 Atlético Mineiro 117 (26)
2025 Nacional 12 (2)
2025 Audax Italiano 13 (4)
2026– Universidad de Chile 0 (0)
International career
2009 Chile U23 6 (4)
2009– Chile 120 (45)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  Chile
Copa América
Winner2015
Winner2016
FIFA Confederations Cup
Runner-up2017
China Cup
Winner2017
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 3 January 2026
‡ National team caps and goals as of 25 March 2025
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Emerging as a top talent at Cobreloa, Vargas moved to Universidad de Chile where he won three titles, including the 2011 Copa Sudamericana, where he was named player of the tournament. In 2011, he was co-awarded the Chilean Footballer of the Year and also finished as runner-up for the South American Footballer of the Year. Following an £11.5 million move to Napoli, Vargas had subsequent loan spells at Grêmio, Valencia and Queens Park Rangers before moving to TSG Hoffenheim in 2015.

A full international since 2010, Vargas has earned 120 caps for Chile, scoring over 40 goals. He was part of their squad at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup, and the Copa América in 2015, 2016, 2019, 2021 and 2024. He would finish as top scorer in Chile's title-winning 2015 and 2016 Copa América campaigns.

Club career

Early career

Born in Santiago, Vargas grew up in Renca, and began his career playing for Internacional de Renca's youth setup.[2] He also had trials at Universidad Católica and Palestino before taking part of Deportes Puerto Montt's youth categories. In 2005, he was invited to a reality show headed by Adidas, called Adidas Selection Team, and despite not winning the competition,[3] he impressed enough to start the 2006 pre-season trialling with Puerto Rico Islanders, as the club was in Chile.[4]

Cobreloa

In 2006, Vargas was signed by Cobreloa after impressing in a ten-day trial.[5] Initially assigned to the B-team in the Tercera División, he scored twice during his stay, netting against Universidad Arturo Prat[6] and San Marcos de Arica in August.[7]

Vargas made his first team debut on 23 July 2006, aged just 16, playing the last 20 minutes in a 4–1 away loss against Puerto Montt.[8] He appeared in three more matches during the season, all from the bench. After only five further appearances in 2007, he became a regular starter in 2008,[9] scoring his first professional goal on 16 March in a 3–2 home defeat of Palestino.[10] On 30 August, he scored a brace in a 4–3 away win against the same opponent.[11]

Vargas established himself as a starter in 2009, contributing with four goals in 23 appearances.

Universidad de Chile

On 7 January 2010, Vargas joined Universidad de Chile for a US$700,000 transfer fee.[12] He made his debut for the club on 25 January, replacing Gabriel Vargas and scoring the last in a 5–1 home routing of Cobresal.[13]

Vargas only broke into the first team during the 2011 campaign, and had a brilliant performance during the year, scoring 29 goals and providing in 51 matches.[14] He also won both league semestral tournaments (Torneo Apertura and Torneo Clausura), as well as the Copa Sudamericana, where he was the edition's top-scorer and netted goals in both final legs against LDU Quito, scoring the only goal at Casa Blanca and twice in the 3–0 win at the Estadio Nacional in Santiago.[15]

Vargas was chosen as a candidate for South American Footballer of the Year in November 2011, eventually placing as runner-up to Neymar.[16] Then in December, Vargas was con-decorated as the Chilean Footballer of the Year.

Napoli

In December 2011, Italian club Napoli purchased the player for a reported US$17.9 million (£11.5 million).[17] On 23 December 2011, Napoli club president Aurelio De Laurentiis, announced Vargas would arrive at the club: "I would like to inform you officially that we purchased Vargas, a few minutes ago I received a call from Dr. De Nicola, who visited the footballer and gave his okay under medical and athletic profile. We signed the contract and we also won the competition by strong Club who wanted the player. This is the testimony that our observatory is always open and we are continuously looking for young talents in the world that can make the case of Napoli and for the growth of our team."[18] Vargas arrived at Napoli on 6 January 2012 and signed on 9 January.[19] He made his debut in a 2–1 Coppa Italia defeat of Cesena at the Stadio San Paolo on 12 January.[20] On 20 May, he was an unused substitute as Napoli defeated Juventus in the Coppa Italia Final at the Stadio Olimpico.

On 20 September 2012, in the first match of Napoli's UEFA Europa League campaign, Vargas scored his first Napoli goals, netting three in a 4–0 victory against AIK.[21] This was the first time that a Chilean player had scored a hat-trick in a continental competition in Europe.

Grêmio (loan)

On 17 January 2013, Vargas agreed to go on loan to Brazilian side Grêmio.[22] He made his first appearance six days later in a Copa Libertadores match against LDU Quito. He scored his first goal on 21 February against Fluminense in the Copa Libertadores. On 31 March, he scored his first goal in the Campeonato Gaúcho, converting a penalty at the Arena do Grêmio in a 1–1 draw with Passo Fundo.

Valencia (loan)

On 23 January 2014, Vargas joined La Liga club Valencia on loan for the rest of the 2013–14 season.[23] Vargas played his first official match for Los Che in a 3–2 away win at Camp Nou against champions Barcelona on 1 February 2014. He scored his first La Liga goal against Real Betis, in a 5–0 home win.[24]

Vargas recorded two goals and three assists in eight appearances as Valencia reached the semi-finals of the 2013–14 UEFA Europa League.[25]

Queens Park Rangers (loan)

On 21 August 2014, Vargas joined Queens Park Rangers on loan until the end of the 2014–15 Premier League season.[26] He made his debut for the club on 14 September against Manchester United, replacing Charlie Austin for the last 31 minutes at Old Trafford.[27] On 19 October, in a 2–3 loss against Liverpool at Loftus Road, Vargas scored twice after coming on as a substitute for Bobby Zamora in the 78th minute.[28] On 26 December, in a 2–1 loss to Arsenal, Vargas helped his goalkeeper Robert Green save an early penalty from Alexis Sánchez by pointing out which way his fellow Chilean was likely to shoot the ball.[29]

On 22 March 2015, Vargas scored his first goal in five months in QPR's 1–2 home defeat to Everton.[30] He also scored in the team's 4–1 victory at West Bromwich Albion on 4 April, but injured his knee ligament in that match, ruling him out for the remainder of the season.[31] The season ended with QPR finishing bottom of the league, resulting in their relegation to the Championship.

Hoffenheim

On 24 August 2015, Vargas joined German Bundesliga club 1899 Hoffenheim on a four-year deal, for a reported fee of €5 million, plus an additional percentage of any sell-on fee.[32][33]

Tigres UANL

On 27 January 2017, Liga MX club Tigres UANL announced Vargas would be joining the club.[34] On 16 July 2017, he scored in the 1–0 victory over Guadalajara in the 2017 Campeón de Campeones.

Vargas played the final against Tigres' archrival: CF Monterrey. In the first leg the teams drew 1–1 at the Estadio Universitario. In the Estadio BBVA Bancomer, Tigres beat Monterrey 2–1. Vargas and Francisco Meza scored.

Atlético Mineiro

On 9 November 2020, Vargas joined Atlético Mineiro on a two-year contract.[35]

Nacional

In January 2025, Vargas moved to Uruguay and signed with Nacional.[36] He ended his contract on 24 July 2025.[37] After taking part in both the Torneo Apertura and Torneo Intermedio, he won the 2025 Liga AUF Uruguaya.[38][39]

Audax Italiano

The same day Nacional announced his release, Vargas signed with Audax Italiano until the end of the year.[40][41]

Return to Universidad de Chile

On 3 January 2026, Vargas returned to Universidad de Chile after fourteen years.[42]

International career

Vargas shaking hands with the Australian team before their group match at the 2014 FIFA World Cup

In 2009, Vargas participated in the Toulon Tournament with the Chile under-23 national team, where he was champion and the team's second top goalscorer. On 5 November 2009, he made his full international debut for the senior team in a 2–1 win over Paraguay at the Estadio CAP.[43]

In 2011, Vargas was recalled and scored his first goal in a 3–2 friendly defeat to Spain on 2 September.[44] On 12 October, he scored his first competitive international goal in a 4–2 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying win over Peru at the Estadio Monumental.[45]

In September 2013, Vargas broke the Chile national team record for goals in consecutive matches – previously held jointly by Marcelo Salas and Carlos Caszely – by scoring twice in a 2–2 friendly draw with Spain.[15] During 2013, he scored in six consecutive matches and nine times overall for La Roja.[15]

2014 World Cup

On 1 June 2014, Vargas was named by Jorge Sampaoli in Chile's 23-man squad for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.[46] In Chile's second group match, against defending champions Spain at the Maracanã Stadium, Vargas scored the team's opening goal as they mathematically eliminated Spain and secured qualification to the knockout stage.[47]

2015 Copa América

On 11 June 2015, Vargas scored for Chile in the opening match of the 2015 Copa América, a 2–0 win over Ecuador at the Estadio Nacional in Santiago.[48] In the team's next fixture, Vargas scored his second goal of the tournament, heading an equalizer as the hosts drew 3–3 with Mexico on 15 June.[49] In the semi-final against Peru, Vargas scored both goals in a 2–1 victory for Chile, the second of which was a long-distance effort, to send La Roja to the final. Although Vargas was substituted out in extra time, Chile won in a penalty shootout against Argentina to win their first major international honour.[50] Vargas' four goals made him the competition's joint top scorer alongside Peruvian Paolo Guerrero, and he was named in the Team of the Tournament.[51]

Copa América Centenario

On 14 June 2016, at the Copa América Centenario, Vargas and Alexis Sánchez scored twice each in a 4–2 win over Panama in Philadelphia to qualify for the quarter-finals of the tournament.[52] Four days later, he added four more goals at Levi's Stadium in a 7–0 rout of Mexico.[53] Chile retained their title with another win on penalties against Argentina, and Vargas was again the top scorer with six goals.[54]

Despite his previous successes with the national team, Vargas, along with Marcelo Díaz, fell out of favour following the appointment of Reinaldo Rueda in 2018 and made only a single friendly appearance for Chile in the year.[55]

2019 Copa América

Vargas was included in Chile's 23-man squad for the 2019 Copa América in Brazil. He scored twice against Japan in a 4–0 win for Chile's opening match.[56]

2021 Copa América

Vargas scored two goals in the 2021 Copa América, one each against Argentina and Uruguay, which both ended in a 1–1 draw. On 2 July 2021, Vargas played his 100th match for Chile in a 1–0 defeat against Brazil in the quarter-finals.[57]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 7 December 2025[58]
More information Club, Season ...
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League State league[a] National cup[b] Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Cobreloa B 2006 Chilean Tercera División 122122
Cobreloa 2006[9] Chilean Primera División 4040
2007[9] 5050
2008 21420234
2009 24611257
Total 5410315711
Universidad de Chile 2010 Chilean Primera División 18110[c]2283
2011 37172112[d]115129
Total 55182122137932
Napoli 2011–12 Serie A 100201[e]0130
2012–13 90006[f]300153
Total 190207300283
Grêmio (loan) 2013 Série A 186613010[g]2379
Valencia (loan) 2013–14 La Liga 1738[f]2255
Queens Park Rangers (loan) 2014–15 Premier League 21310223
TSG Hoffenheim 2015–16 Bundesliga 24200242
2016–17 501060
Total 29210302
Tigres UANL 2016–17 Liga MX 1216[h]2184
2017–18 4110104[h]21[i]14713
2018–19 3411548[h]22[j]04917
2019–20 194002[h]14[k]1256
2020–21 143000000143
Total 12029642077215342
Atlético Mineiro 2020 Série A 162162
2021 164937311[g]34313
2022 24541307[g]01[l]0396
2023 12192307[g]0313
2024 23840506[g]1389
Total 91202661833141016733
Nacional 2025 Uruguayan Primera División 1224[g]0162
Audax Italiano 2025 Chilean Primera División 13421155
Career total 46110032738101023082641149
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  1. Nine appearances and two goals in Copa Libertadores, one appearance in Copa Sudamericana
  2. Appearances in Copa Sudamericana
  3. Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  4. Appearance in Copa Libertadores
  5. One appearance in Campeón de Campeones, one appearance in Campeones Cup
  6. One appearance in Campeón de Campeones, three appearances and one goal in Leagues Cup

International

As of match played 25 March 2025[59]
More information National team, Year ...
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National teamYearAppsGoals
Chile 200910
201020
201162
201260
2013129
2014127
2015137
2016147
2017153
201810
201993
202020
2021112
202220
202300
2024125
202520
Total12045
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Score and result columns lists Chile's goal tally first.
More information No., Date ...
List of international goals scored by Eduardo Vargas
No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.2 September 2011AFG Arena, St. Gallen, Switzerland Spain2–02–3Friendly
2.12 October 2011Estadio Monumental, Santiago, Chile Peru2–04–22014 FIFA World Cup qualification
3.6 February 2013Vicente Calderón, Madrid, Spain Egypt1–02–1Friendly
4.26 March 2013Estadio Nacional, Santiago, Chile Uruguay2–02–02014 FIFA World Cup qualification
5.24 April 2013Mineirão, Belo Horizonte, Brazil Brazil2–22–2Friendly
6.7 June 2013Estadio Defensores del Chaco, Asunción, Paraguay Paraguay1–02–12014 FIFA World Cup qualification
7.11 June 2013Estadio Nacional, Santiago, Chile Bolivia1–03–12014 FIFA World Cup qualification
8.6 September 2013Estadio Nacional, Santiago, Chile Venezuela1–03–02014 FIFA World Cup qualification
9. 10 September 2013Stade de Genève, Geneva, Switzerland Spain1–02–2Friendly
10. 2–1
11.19 November 2013Rogers Centre, Toronto, Canada Brazil1–11–2Friendly
12.30 May 2014Estadio Nacional, Santiago, Chile Egypt2–23–2Friendly
13.3–2
14.4 June 2014Estadio Elías Figueroa, Valparaíso, Chile Northern Ireland1–02–0Friendly
15.18 June 2014Maracanã Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Spain1–02–02014 FIFA World Cup
16. 10 October 2014Estadio Elías Figueroa, Valparaíso, Chile Peru1–03–0Friendly
17. 3–0
18.15 November 2014Estadio CAP, Talcahuano, Chile Venezuela3–05–0Friendly
19.11 June 2015Estadio Nacional, Santiago, Chile Ecuador2–02–02015 Copa América
20.15 June 2015Estadio Nacional, Santiago, Chile Mexico2–23–32015 Copa América
21.29 June 2015Estadio Nacional, Santiago, Chile Peru1–02–12015 Copa América
22.2–1
23.8 October 2015Estadio Nacional, Santiago, Chile Brazil1–02–02018 FIFA World Cup qualification
24.13 October 2015Estadio Nacional, Lima, Peru Peru2–24–32018 FIFA World Cup qualification
25.4–2
26.14 June 2016Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, United States Panama1–14–2Copa América Centenario
27.2–1
28.18 June 2016Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, United States Mexico2–07–0Copa América Centenario
29.4–0
30.5–0
31.6–0
32.15 November 2016Estadio Nacional, Santiago, Chile Uruguay1–13–12018 FIFA World Cup qualification
33.13 June 2017Cluj Arena, Cluj-Napoca, Romania Romania1–02–3Friendly
34.18 June 2017Otkrytiye Arena, Moscow, Russia Cameroon2–02–02017 FIFA Confederations Cup
35.5 October 2017Estadio Nacional, Santiago, Chile Ecuador1–02–12018 FIFA World Cup qualification
36.6 June 2019Estadio La Portada, La Serena, Chile Haiti1–12–1Friendly
37.17 June 2019Estádio do Morumbi, São Paulo, Brazil Japan2–04–02019 Copa América
38.4–0
39.14 June 2021Estádio Olímpico Nilton Santos, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Argentina1–11–12021 Copa América
40.21 June 2021Arena Pantanal, Cuiabá, Brazil Uruguay1–01–12021 Copa América
41.22 March 2024Stadio Ennio Tardini, Parma, Italy Albania1–03–0Friendly
42.11 June 2024Estadio Nacional, Santiago, Chile Paraguay3–03–0Friendly
43.10 September 2024Estadio Nacional, Santiago, Chile Bolivia1–11–22026 FIFA World Cup qualification
44.10 October 2024Estadio Nacional, Santiago, Chile Brazil1–01–22026 FIFA World Cup qualification
45.19 November 2024Estadio Nacional, Santiago, Chile Venezuela1–14–22026 FIFA World Cup qualification
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Honours

Universidad de Chile[58]

Napoli[58]

Tigres UANL

Atlético Mineiro

Nacional

Chile

Individual

Notes

  1. In isolation, Vargas was pronounced [ˈbaɾɣas].

See also

References

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