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Juan Manuel Vargas
Juan Manuel Vargas (19-02-2011).jpg
Vargas playing for Fiorentina in 2011
Personal information
Full name Juan Manuel Vargas Risco
Date of birth (1983-10-05) 5 October 1983 (age 41)
Place of birth Magdalena del Mar, Peru
Height 1.80 m
Playing position Left back, Winger
Youth career
1995 Universitario
1995–1999 Union Minas
1999–2001 Universitario
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
2002–2004 Universitario 69 (8)
2005–2006 Colón 54 (4)
2006–2008 Catania 69 (5)
2008–2015 Fiorentina 147 (17)
2012–2013 → Genoa (loan) 20 (0)
2015–2016 Real Betis 20 (3)
2017–2018 Universitario 47 (8)
National team‡
2004–2016 Peru 62 (4)
Honours
Men's football
Representing  Peru
Copa América
Third 2011 Argentina
Third 2015 Chile
  • Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 20 January 2019.

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 20 January 2019
In this Spanish name, the first or paternal family name is Vargas and the second or maternal family name is Risco.

Juan Manuel Vargas Risco (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈxwan maˈnwel ˈβaɾɣas]; 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. 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, but on 5 July 2008, he joined Fiorentina for a fee of €12 million. 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. He made his debut for the club on 23 August, starting in a 1–1 home draw against Villarreal.

On 31 August 2016, Vargas terminated his contract.

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.

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).

Career statistics

Club

Club performance League Cup Continental Total
Club League Season Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists Apps Goals Assists
Peru League Copa Inca South America Total
Universitario de Deportes Descentralizado 2002 3 1 ? — — 3 1 ?
2003 25 1 ? — 3 0 ? 28 1 ?
2004 41 6 ? — — 41 6 ?
Total 69 8 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 72 8 0
Argentina League Cup South America Total
Colón Primera División 2004–05 18 3 ? 0 0 0 — 18 3 ?
2005–06 36 1 ? 0 0 0 — 36 1 ?
Total 54 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 54 4 0
Italy League Coppa Italia Europe Total
Catania Serie A 2006–07 33 0 3 0 0 0 — 33 0 3
2007–08 36 5 4 4 1 1 — 40 6 5
Total 69 5 7 4 1 1 0 0 0 73 6 8
Fiorentina Serie A 2008–09 27 3 2 0 0 0 7 0 1 34 3 3
2009–10 29 5 6 3 0 0 10 3 4 42 8 10
2010–11 24 4 6 0 0 0 — 24 4 6
2011–12 24 0 7 2 0 0 — 26 0 7
Total 104 12 21 5 0 0 17 3 5 126 15 26
Genoa Serie A 2012–13 20 0 1 0 0 0 — 20 0 1
Total 20 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 20 0 1
Fiorentina Serie A 2013–14 24 4 0 4 2 0 3 0 0 31 6 0
2014–15 19 1 1 1 0 0 9 3 1 29 4 2
Total 43 5 1 5 2 0 12 3 1 60 10 2
Career total 359 34 30 14 3 1 32 6 6 405 43 37

International

.

Peru national team
Year Apps Goals
2004 2 0
2005 4 0
2006 2 0
2007 6 2
2008 7 0
2009 6 1
2010 3 0
2011 8 1
2012 4 0
2013 7 0
2014 4 0
2015 8 0
2016 1 0
Total 62 4

International appearances and goals

Statistics accurate as of match played

Honours

Fiorentina

Peru

See also

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