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Charles Aránguiz
Charles-Aranguiz-2018-08-19.jpg
Aránguiz with Bayer Leverkusen in 2018
Personal information
Full name Charles Mariano Aránguiz Sandoval
Date of birth (1989-04-17) 17 April 1989 (age 36)
Place of birth Puente Alto, Santiago, Chile
Height 1.71 m (5 ft 7 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
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)
Medal record
Representing  Chile
Copa América
Winner 2015 Chile
Winner 2016 United States
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 12 July 2025
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 25 March 2025

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 aranguiz sandoval
Aránguiz playing for Universidad de Chile in 2013

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 en la Copa Mundial de Fútbol de 2014
Aránguiz during the hymn ceremony at the Chile vs. Australia match for the 2014 FIFA World Cup

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

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

Individual Awards

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Charles Aránguiz para niños

  • List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps
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