Charles Aránguiz facts for kids
Aránguiz with Bayer Leverkusen in 2018
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| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | Charles Mariano Aránguiz Sandoval | |||||||||||||||
| Date of birth | 17 April 1989 | |||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Puente Alto, Santiago, Chile | |||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.71 m (5 ft 7 in) | |||||||||||||||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | |||||||||||||||
| Team information | ||||||||||||||||
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Current team
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Universidad de Chile | |||||||||||||||
| Number | 20 | |||||||||||||||
| Youth career | ||||||||||||||||
| 2000–2002 | Universidad de Chile | |||||||||||||||
| 2002–2006 | Cobreloa | |||||||||||||||
| Senior career* | ||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | |||||||||||||
| 2006–2009 | Cobreloa | 97 | (11) | |||||||||||||
| 2007 | → Cobresal (loan) | 14 | (1) | |||||||||||||
| 2009–2010 | Colo-Colo | 32 | (5) | |||||||||||||
| 2010 | Quilmes | 14 | (0) | |||||||||||||
| 2011–2013 | Universidad de Chile | 95 | (20) | |||||||||||||
| 2014 | Udinese | 0 | (0) | |||||||||||||
| 2014–2015 | Internacional | 38 | (9) | |||||||||||||
| 2015–2023 | Bayer Leverkusen | 168 | (10) | |||||||||||||
| 2023–2024 | Internacional | 41 | (1) | |||||||||||||
| 2024– | Universidad de Chile | 18 | (3) | |||||||||||||
| International career‡ | ||||||||||||||||
| 2008 | Chile U20 | 4 | (1) | |||||||||||||
| 2009– | Chile | 103 | (7) | |||||||||||||
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Medal record
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| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 12 July 2025 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 25 March 2025 |
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Charles Mariano Aránguiz Sandoval is a professional footballer from Chile. He was born on April 17, 1989. Charles plays as a midfielder for Universidad de Chile.
People often describe Charles as a very smart and energetic midfielder. He is known for being great at winning the ball, passing it to his teammates, and even scoring goals. He can play in different midfield roles, like a defensive midfielder or a central midfielder. FIFA's official website has called him a "crafty, tigerish midfielder of the highest order."
Club Career Highlights
Starting in Football
Charles Aránguiz was born in a place called Puente Alto in Chile. His mother, Mariana Sandoval, was a football coach. Charles started playing football at Universidad de Chile. When he was 13, he moved to the Cobreloa Academy to continue his training.
Early Professional Years
Charles began his professional career in 2006 with Cobreloa. He scored his first goal in the top Chilean league that same year. After playing for a short time on loan at Cobresal, he joined Colo-Colo. With Colo-Colo, he helped the team win the Clausura championship in 2009.
In 2010, Charles played briefly for an Argentine club called Quilmes. Then, on January 1, 2011, he joined Universidad de Chile. This was a big move because Universidad de Chile is a major rival of Colo-Colo. He quickly became a very important player for the team.
Winning the Copa Sudamericana
Charles helped Universidad de Chile win the 2011 Copa Sudamericana. This was a huge achievement because the team did not lose a single game in the entire tournament! They beat an Ecuadorian team, Liga de Quito, 4–0 over two games in the final. This made Universidad de Chile the first Chilean team in 20 years to win a big continental competition.
He also helped his team win the Copa Chile in 2013. In the final, Universidad de Chile won 2–1 against Universidad Católica.
Playing in Brazil
On January 11, 2014, Charles moved to the Brazilian club Internacional. He was first on loan, but then Internacional bought him. He quickly became a star player there.
He was even named the best player (MVP) of the 2014 Campeonato Gaúcho tournament. Internacional won this tournament for a record 43rd time with Charles on their team.
Time at Bayer Leverkusen
On August 13, 2015, Charles joined Bayer Leverkusen in Germany. He chose this club even though another team, Leicester City, offered him more money. Charles said he wanted to play in the UEFA Champions League, which is a very important European competition.
He was given the number 20 shirt. Later, in the 2020–21 season, Charles became the team captain for Bayer Leverkusen.
Returning to Internacional
On February 19, 2023, it was announced that Charles would return to Internacional in Brazil. He signed a two-year contract. He officially moved back to Internacional on April 2, 2023.
Back to Universidad de Chile
In the second half of 2024, Charles Aránguiz made another return. He went back to his former club, Universidad de Chile. He signed a deal to play for them until the end of 2025.
International Career
Playing for Chile's Youth Teams
Charles Aránguiz played for Chile's youth national teams. He took part in tournaments like the Milk Cup in 2007 and the Toulon Tournament in 2008. With the Chile youth team, he won the 2008 João Havelange Tournament. He also played for the U-20 Chile team in 2009, where he scored a goal from a free kick.
Playing for the Senior National Team
Charles made his debut for the Chile national team in 2009. He became a regular player during the qualifying games for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. He played in seven matches and scored goals against Bolivia and Venezuela.
On June 1, 2014, Charles was chosen for Chile's team for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. In a group match against the defending champions, Spain, he helped Chile win. He assisted a goal and then scored one himself, helping Chile eliminate Spain from the tournament.
Copa América Victories
At the 2015 Copa América, which was held in Chile, Charles scored two goals in a 5–0 win against Bolivia. This win helped Chile move forward in the tournament. Chile went on to win the Copa América that year!
The next year, Charles was again a key player for Chile in the 2016 Copa América Centenario. He scored an important goal against Colombia in the semi-final, helping Chile win 2–0. In the final against Argentina, he played very well and scored a crucial penalty kick in the penalty shoot-out. This helped Chile win the Copa América trophy again!
On October 12, 2023, Charles played his 100th international match for Chile. This was a qualifying game for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and Chile won 2–0 against Peru.
Personal Life
Charles Aránguiz's mother, Mariana Sandoval, was a football coach and leader for amateur teams for over 30 years in Puente Alto. She was even recognized by CONMEBOL for her contributions to football.
His brother, Gilberto, is also a football coach. He works for a club called Municipal Puente Alto in Chile.
Charles also has a cousin, Mario Sandoval, who is a professional football player.
Honours
Colo-Colo
- Primera División de Chile: 2009 Clausura
Universidad de Chile
- Copa Sudamericana: 2011
- Primera División de Chile: 2011 Apertura, 2011 Clausura, 2012 Apertura
- Copa Chile: 2012–13
- Recopa Sudamericana runner-up: 2012
- Supercopa de Chile runner-up: 2013
Internacional
- Campeonato Gaúcho: 2014, 2015
Chile
- Copa América: 2015, 2016
- Copa del Pacífico: 2012
Individual Awards
- Copa Sudamericana's Ideal Team: 2012, 2013
- America's Ideal Team: 2012
- Copa América Team of the Tournament: 2016
See also
In Spanish: Charles Aránguiz para niños
- List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps
