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Eduardo Vargas facts for kids

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For the Argentine Olympic boxer, see Eduardo Vargas (boxer).
In this Spanish name, the first or paternal family name is Vargas and the second or maternal family name is Rojas.
Quick facts for kids
Eduardo Vargas
Spain - Chile - 10-09-2013 - Geneva - E. Vargas.jpg
Vargas playing for Chile in 2013
Personal information
Full name Eduardo Jesús Vargas Rojas
Date of birth (1989-11-20) 20 November 1989 (age 35)
Place of birth Santiago, Chile
Height 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
Position(s) Forward, winger
Team information
Current team
 Nacional
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)
2013 → Grêmio (loan) 18 (6)
2014 → Valencia (loan) 17 (3)
2014–2015 → Queens 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 0 (0)
International career‡
2009 Chile U23 6 (4)
2009– Chile 118 (45)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  Chile
Copa América
Winner 2015
Winner 2016
FIFA Confederations Cup
Runner-up 2017
China Cup
Winner 2017
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 8 December 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 19 November 2024

Eduardo Jesús Vargas Rojas is a famous Chilean football player. He was born on November 20, 1989. He plays as a forward for the Uruguayan club Nacional and is also a key player for the Chile national team.

Vargas first became well-known at Cobreloa. He then moved to Universidad de Chile, where he won three important titles. This included the 2011 Copa Sudamericana, where he was named the best player of the tournament! In 2011, he was also chosen as the Chilean Footballer of the Year.

After his success in Chile, Vargas moved to the Italian club Napoli. From there, he played on loan for several other big teams around the world. These included Grêmio in Brazil, Valencia in Spain, and Queens Park Rangers in England. In 2015, he joined TSG Hoffenheim in Germany.

Eduardo Vargas has played over 110 games for Chile's national team and scored more than 40 goals. He was a very important part of the Chilean team that won the Copa América twice, in 2015 and 2016. In both tournaments, he was the top goal scorer! He also played in the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup.

Club Career Highlights

Eduardo Vargas grew up in Renca, a part of Santiago, Chile. He started playing football in youth teams like Internacional de Renca. He also had trials with other clubs before joining Deportes Puerto Montt's youth setup.

Starting at Cobreloa

In 2006, Vargas joined Cobreloa after a successful trial. He first played for their B-team, scoring two goals. He made his first team debut for Cobreloa on July 23, 2006, when he was just 16 years old. He slowly became a regular player and scored his first professional goal in 2008. By 2009, he was a key starter for the team.

Success with Universidad de Chile

In 2010, Vargas moved to Universidad de Chile. He really shined during the 2011 season, scoring 29 goals in 51 matches! He helped his team win two league titles that year. He also led them to win the 2011 Copa Sudamericana, which is a big international club competition in South America. Vargas was the top scorer in that tournament and scored crucial goals in the final games.

Because of his amazing performance in 2011, Vargas was considered one of the best players in South America. He was named the Chilean Footballer of the Year.

Moving to Europe: Napoli and Loan Spells

In December 2011, Vargas moved to the Italian club Napoli. He made his debut in January 2012. In September 2012, he scored his first goals for Napoli, getting a hat-trick (three goals in one game) in a UEFA Europa League match. This was a special moment, as he was the first Chilean player to score a hat-trick in a European club competition.

Vargas then went on loan to several clubs:

  • Grêmio (2013): He played for the Brazilian club Grêmio and scored his first goal for them in the Copa Libertadores, another major South American competition.
  • Valencia (2014): He joined La Liga club Valencia in Spain. He scored his first goal in La Liga and helped Valencia reach the semi-finals of the 2013–14 UEFA Europa League.
  • Queens Park Rangers (2014–2015): Vargas moved to Queens Park Rangers (QPR) in the English Premier League. He scored two goals in one game against Liverpool. Unfortunately, he got a knee injury that ended his season early.

Hoffenheim, Tigres, and Atlético Mineiro

In 2015, Vargas joined Bundesliga club 1899 Hoffenheim in Germany. Later, in 2017, he moved to Liga MX club Tigres UANL in Mexico. He helped Tigres win several titles, including the Liga MX championship twice.

In 2020, Vargas signed with Atlético Mineiro in Brazil. He continued to win more trophies there, including the Brazilian league and cup.

Nacional

In January 2025, Eduardo Vargas made a move to Uruguay, joining the club Nacional.

International Career

Eduardo Vargas en el Arena Pantanal
Vargas shaking hands with the Australian team before their group match at the 2014 FIFA World Cup

Eduardo Vargas has been a very important player for the Chile national team.

In 2009, he played for the Chile under-23 team in the Toulon Tournament, which they won. He made his debut for the senior national team on November 5, 2009. His first goal for Chile came in a friendly match against Spain in 2011.

2014 FIFA World Cup

Vargas was part of Chile's squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. In a big group match against the defending champions Spain, Vargas scored the first goal. This helped Chile win and move on to the next stage of the tournament, while Spain was eliminated!

Copa América Success

Vargas had incredible success in the Copa América, a major football tournament for South American national teams.

  • 2015 Copa América: He scored in Chile's opening match and continued to score important goals throughout the tournament. In the semi-final against Peru, he scored both goals in a 2–1 win, sending Chile to the final. Chile then won the final against Argentina in a penalty shootout, winning their first major international trophy! Vargas was the joint top scorer of the tournament with four goals.
  • Copa América Centenario (2016): Vargas was again a star player. He scored two goals against Panama and an amazing four goals in one game against Mexico! Chile won the tournament again, beating Argentina in another penalty shootout. Vargas was the top scorer of this tournament with six goals.

Vargas also played in the 2019 Copa América and 2021 Copa América, scoring goals in both tournaments. In 2021, he played his 100th match for Chile.

Honours and Awards

Eduardo Vargas has won many trophies and received several individual awards throughout his career.

Team Honours

Individual Awards

  • Copa Sudamericana Player of the Tournament: 2011
  • Copa Sudamericana Top Scorer: 2011
  • Primera División de Chile Player of the Tournament: 2011
  • Primera División de Chile Best Forward: 2011
  • CONMEBOL Team of the Season: 2011
  • Copa América Team of the Tournament: 2015, 2016
  • Copa América Top Scorer: 2015, 2016
  • China Cup Best Player: 2017

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Eduardo Vargas para niños

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