Juan Manuel Vargas

Juan Manuel Vargas Risco (; born 5 October 1983) is a Peruvian former footballer who played as a left back or winger.

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

International .

International appearances and goals Date Venue Opponent Score Goal Result Competition2004 1. 13 October 2004 Asunción, Paraguay 1–1 0 Draw 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification 2. 17 November 2004 Lima, Peru 2–1 0 Win 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification2005 3. 30 March 2005 Lima, Peru 2–2 0 Draw 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification 4. 4 June 2005 Barranquilla, Colombia 5–0 0 Lost 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification 5. 3 September 2005 Maracaibo, Venezuela 4–1 0 Lost 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification 6. 17 August 2005 Tacna, Peru 3–1 0 Win Friendly2006 7. 7 October 2006 Viña del Mar, Chile 3–20 Lost Friendly 8. 15 November 2006 Kingston, Jamaica 1–10 Draw Friendly2007 9. 3 June 2007 Madrid, Spain 2–1 0 Win Friendly 10. 8 September 2007 Lima, Peru 2–2 0 Draw Friendly 11. 12 September 2007 Lima, Peru 2–0 1 Win Friendly 12. 13 October 2007 Lima, Peru 0–0 0 Draw 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification 13. 17 October 2007 Santiago, Chile 2–0 0 Lost 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification 14. 18 November 2007 Lima, Peru 1–1 1 Draw 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification2008 15. 8 June 2008 Chicago, United States 4–0 0 Lost Friendly 16. 14 June 2008 Lima, Peru 1–1 0 Draw 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification 17. 17 June 2008 Montevideo, Uruguay 6–0 0 Lost 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification 18. 6 September 2008 Lima, Peru 1–0 0 Win 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification 19. 10 September 2008 Lima, Peru 1–1 0 Draw 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification 20. 11 October 2008 La Paz, Bolivia 3–0 0 Lost 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification 21. 15 October 2008 Asunción, Paraguay 1–0 0 Lost 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification2009 22. 29 March 2009 Lima, Peru 3–1 0 Lost 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification 23. 7 June 2009 Lima, Peru 2–1 1 Lost 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification 24. 10 June 2009 Medellín, Colombia 1–0 0 Lost 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification 25. 5 September 2009 Lima, Peru 1–0 0 Win 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification 26. 10 October 2009 Buenos Aires, Argentina 2–1 0 Lost 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification 27. 14 October 2009 Lima, Peru 1–0 0 Win 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification2010 28. 4 September 2010 Toronto, Canada 2–0 0 Win Friendly 29. 7 September 2010 Fort Lauderdale, United States 2–1 0 Win Friendly 30. 17 November 2010 Bogotá, Colombia 1–1 0 Draw Friendly2011 31. 29 March 2011 The Hague, Netherlands 0–0 0 Draw Friendly 32. 4 July 2011 San Juan, Argentina 1–1 0 Draw 2011 Copa América 33. 8 July 2011 Mendoza, Argentina 1–0 0 Win 2011 Copa América 34. 16 July 2011 Córdoba, Argentina 2–0 1 Win 2011 Copa América 35. 19 July 2011 La Plata, Argentina 2–0 0 Loss 2011 Copa América 36. 7 October 2011 Lima, Peru 2–0 0 Win 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification 37. 11 October 2011 Santiago, Chile 4–2 0 Loss 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification 38. 11 October 2011 Quito, Ecuador 2–0 0 Loss 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification2012 39. 29 February 2012 Tunis, Tunisia 1–1 0 Draw Friendly 40. 16 August 2012 San José, Costa Rica 0-1 0 Win Friendly 41. 8 September 2012 Lima, Peru 2-1 0 Win 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification 42. 17 October 2012 Asunción, Paraguay 0-1 0 Loss 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification2013 43. 1 June 2013 Panama City, Panama 1-2 0 Win Friendly 44. 8 June 2013 Lima, Peru 1-0 0 Won 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification 45. 11 June 2013 Lima, Peru 2-0 0 Loss 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification 46. 7 September 2013 Lima, Peru 1-2 0 Loss 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification 47. 11 September 2013 Barcelona, Venezuela 3-2 0 Loss 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualification 48. 12 October 2013 Buenos Aires, Argentina 3-1 0 Loss 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualification 49. 16 October 2013 Lima, Peru 1-1 0 Draw 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualification2014 50. 11 October 2014 Valparaíso, Chile 3-0 0 Loss Friendly 51. 15 October 2014 Lima, Peru 1-0 0 Win Friendly 52. 15 November 2014 Luque, Paraguay 2-1 0 Loss Friendly 53. 19 November 2014 Lima, Peru 2-1 0 Win Friendly2015 54. 14 June 2015 Temuco, Chile 2-1 0 Loss 2015 Copa América 55. 19 June 2015 Valparaíso, Chile 1-0 0 Win 2015 Copa América 56. 21 June 2015 Temuco, Chile 0-0 0 Draw 2015 Copa América 57. 26 June 2015 Temuco, Chile 1-3 0 Win 2015 Copa América 58. 30 June 2015 Santiago, Chile 2-1 0 Loss 2015 Copa América 59. 4 July 2015 Concepción, Chile 2-0 0 Win 2015 Copa América 60. 5 September 2015 Washington D.C., United States 2-1 0 Loss Friendly 61. 9 September 2015 Harrison, United States 1-1 0 Draw Friendly2016 62. 24 March 2016 Lima, Peru 2-2 0 Draw 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification

Statistics accurate as of match played