Juan Manuel Vargas Explained

Juan Manuel Vargas
Fullname:Juan Manuel Vargas Risco
Birth Date:5 October 1983[1]
Birth Place:Magdalena del Mar, Peru
Height:1.80 m
Position:Left back, Winger
Youthyears1:1995
Youthclubs1:Universitario
Youthyears2:1995–1999
Youthclubs2:Union Minas
Youthyears3:1999–2001
Youthclubs3:Universitario
Years1:2002–2004
Clubs1:Universitario
Caps1:69
Goals1:8
Years2:2005–2006
Clubs2:Colón
Caps2:54
Goals2:4
Years3:2006–2008
Clubs3:Catania
Caps3:69
Goals3:5
Years4:2008–2015
Clubs4:Fiorentina
Caps4:147
Goals4:17
Years5:2012–2013
Clubs5:Genoa (loan)
Caps5:20
Goals5:0
Years6:2015–2016
Clubs6:Real Betis
Caps6:20
Goals6:3
Years7:2017–2018
Clubs7:Universitario
Caps7:47
Goals7:8
Nationalyears1:2004–2016
Nationalteam1:Peru
Nationalcaps1:62
Nationalgoals1:4
Pcupdate:20 January 2019
Ntupdate:20 January 2019

Juan Manuel Vargas Risco (pronounced as /es/; born 5 October 1983) is a Peruvian retired footballer that played as a left back.

Vargas' previous clubs include Universitario, Colón, Catania, Genoa and Fiorentina. He played for Peru at international level. His last team was Universitario de Deportes.

Club career

Early career

Vargas received his start in the popular Peruvian team Universitario, where he quickly earned a main spot in the team by 2004, given his great play and his crowd-pleasing goals at key moments. In 2005, he transferred to Argentine club Colón.

Catania

In August 2006, Vargas signed a four-year contract with Catania. He scored his first goal for Catania on 31 October 2007, in the 88th minute, tying Siena 1–1 and prolonging Catania's unbeaten streak to seven matches.[2] During his two-year stay in Sicily, he was continuously one of their best players and was a first-team regular. His performances helped the Sicilians to Serie A survival for two seasons. These impressive displays led to elite clubs around Europe chasing after the 23-year old's signature.

Fiorentina

On 17 May 2008, it was reported Vargas had agreed to sign for Real Madrid,[3] [4] but on 5 July 2008, he joined Fiorentina for a fee of 12 million.[5] Upon arriving in Florence, he struggled in the left back position and was highly criticized. However, after realizing his true potential as an attacking midfielder, he became a crucial part of the Viola squad providing crucial assists, giving the squad great speed and acting almost as a third forward. On 24 November 2009, Vargas scored a critical spot kick goal that advanced Fiorentina onto the knock-out stages in the UEFA Champions League. This was the first time Fiorentina made it to the round of 16 in ten years.

On the last day of the August 2012 transfer window, Vargas joined Serie A club Genoa on loan for the season, making 20 appearances before rejoining Fiorentina. He scored Fiorentina's goal in their 1 - 3 defeat to Napoli in the 2014 Coppa Italia Final.

Real Betis

On 12 August 2015, Vargas signed a two-year deal with Real Betis, newly promoted to La Liga, after his contract with Fiorentina expired.[6] He made his debut for the club on 23 August, starting in a 1–1 home draw against Villarreal.[7]

On 31 August 2016, Vargas terminated his contract.[8]

Style of play

Vargas plays at left back, on the wing, or in the midfield, in both offensive and defensive positions. Vargas impresses with his ability to dribble the ball and make remarkable shots on goal. He is also known for his free-kick ability and accurate crosses. His former Fiorentina teammate Alberto Gilardino stated that Vargas is probably the best crosser he has played with.[9]

International career

Vargas played his first match with the Peru national team against Paraguay in 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifying, with Paulo Autuori as head coach. He scored his first international goal on 12 September 2007 in a friendly match against Bolivia. He was sent off in the 2011 Copa América semi-final match for elbowing a Uruguayan player.

Personal life

Vargas currently lives with his longtime partner Blanca Rodríguez, and their three children: Luana Mia (born in 2007), Ánika Lía (born 28 December 2009), and Juan Manuel (born in 2011).[10]

Career statistics

Club

Club performanceLeagueCupContinentalTotal
ClubLeagueSeasonAppsGoalsAssistsAppsGoalsAssistsAppsGoalsAssistsAppsGoalsAssists
PeruLeagueCopa IncaSouth AmericaTotal
Universitario de DeportesDescentralizado200231?31?
2003251?30?281?
2004416?416?
Total69800003007280
ArgentinaLeagueCupSouth AmericaTotal
ColónPrimera División2004–05183?000183?
2005–06361?000361?
Total54400000005440
ItalyLeagueCoppa ItaliaEuropeTotal
CataniaSerie A2006–0733030003303
2007–0836544114065
Total69574110007368
FiorentinaSerie A2008–0927320007013433
2009–102956300103442810
2010–1124460002446
2011–1224072002607
Total104122150017351261526
GenoaSerie A2012–1320010002001
Total20010000002001
FiorentinaSerie A2013–1424404203003160
2014–1519111009312942
Total4351520123160102
Career total3593430143132664054337

International

.

Peru national team
YearAppsGoals
200420
200540
200620
200762
200870
200961
201030
201181
201240
201370
201440
201580
201610
Total624

International appearances and goals

Statistics accurate as of match played

Honours

Fiorentina

Peru

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Juan Manuel Vargas. Soccerway. Global Sports Media. 9 March 2012.
  2. News: Siena 1–1 Catania. XN.com. 31 October 2007. 12 June 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20120312232346/http://www.sport-xn.com/ev-10176.html. 12 March 2012. dead.
  3. News: Madrid Agree Terms With Vargas. Goal.com. Luis Mira. 17 May 2008. 12 June 2009.
  4. News: Real Madrid signed Juan Vargas according to Spanish and Italian media . Andina.com . 16 May 2008 . 12 June 2009 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110724005740/http://www.andina.com.pe/ingles/Noticia.aspx?id=4qqNZS4CLvY%3D . 24 July 2011 .
  5. News: Vargas Signs For Fiorentina . Goal.com . Salvatore Landolina . 26 June 2008 . 12 June 2009 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090620065043/http://www.goal.com/en/news/711/fiorentina/2008/06/26/751686/vargas-signs-for-fiorentina . 20 June 2009 .
  6. News: El fichaje del peruano Juan Manuel Vargas por el Betis ya es oficial. The signing of Peruvian Juan Manuel Vargas for Betis is already official. Marca. es. 12 August 2015. 12 August 2015.
  7. Web site: Rubén Castro llega justo a tiempo. Rubén Castro arrives just in time. Marca. es. 24 August 2015. 1 September 2015.
  8. Web site: Juan Manuel Vargas leaves Real Betis. Real Betis. 31 August 2016. 31 August 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160905094642/http://www.realbetisbalompie.es/en/noticias/last-news/7430/juan-manuel-vargas-queda-desvinculado-de-la-discip. 5 September 2016. dead.
  9. News: A Victory Well Deserved – Fiorentina's Alberto Gilardino. Goal.com. Rick D'Andrea. 24 November 2009. 24 November 2009.
  10. http://franco461301.blogspot.com/