Jorge Francisco Vargas

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jorge Vargas (born 8 February 1976 in Santiago de Chile) is a Chilean football defender.

[edit] Club career

Vargas debuted in his countries first division in 1995 while playing for Huachipato on loan from Universidad Católica. After returning from his loan spell Vargas receives little playing time for Universidad Católica, and is consequently loaned out during the 1997 season to Coquimbo Unido, where he begins to make a name for himself with his solid play. His play does not go unnoticed by Universidad Católica as he returns to the club and begins to feature regularly. By 1999 Vargas establishes himself as the symbol and most prominent member of the club appearing in 38 matches and netting 3 goals. Vargas starts drawing interest from Italian clubs and by the end of 1999 is sold to Reggina.

With Reggina in the Italian serie A Vargas goes on to enjoy the most successful part of his career, in four years he appears in 97 league matches scoring 3 goals. In 2003/04 Vargas joins Empoli, but is unable to help the club avoid relegation. After his negative experience with Empoli, Vargas signs with A.S Livorno, where he recaptures the form that made him a standout for Reggina. In two years at the Tuscan club Vargas appears in 55 league matches.

After his successful serie A career Vargas signs on with top Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg for the 2006/07 season, he goes on to appear in 26 league matches helping the club to the Austrian Bundesliga crown.

[edit] National team

Vargas made his international debut for Chile on April 28, 1999. He cemented a starting role during his countries 4th place finish during Copa América 1999. During the latter months of 2006 and early 2007 Vargas was captain of the Chilean national team. In July 2007 he was punished by the Chilean Football Federation with a 20 match ban for his role in the unruly celebrations for qualifying to the second round of Copa America 2007, in which several members of the team in a drunken state caused problems at the teams camp. Vargas to this day denies his role.

Vargas has represented Chile 51 times, scoring a lone goal versus Uruguay from the penalty spot.

[edit] Domestic League Titles Won

• 1997 Chilean League with Club Deportivo Universidad Católica
• 2006/07 Austrian Bundesliga with Red Bull Salzburg

[edit] National Team

• 4th place Copa América 1999

[edit] In Action

• with Red Bull Salzburg [1]

v • d • e Chile squad - Copa América 1999 1 Marcelo Ramírez • 2 Palacios • 3 Miguel Ramírez • 4 Rojas • 5 Margas • 6 Reyes • 7 Parraguez • 8 Acuña • 9 Zamorano • 10 Sierra • 11 Salas • 12 Tapia • 13 Vargas • 14 Cartes • 15 Villarroel • 16 Aros • 17 Nuñez • 18 González • 19 Valencia • 20 Estay • 21 Contreras • 22 Pizarro • Coach: Acosta

v • d • e Chile squad - Copa América 2007 1 Bravo • 2 Ormeño • 3 Rocco • 4 Fuentes • 5 Riffo • 6 Cabión • 7 Tello • 8 Suazo • 9 Navia • 10 Valdivia • 11 González • 12 Peric • 13 Vargas • 14 Fernández • 15 Contreras • 16 Iturra • 17 Sanhueza • 18 Meléndez • 19 Jara • 20 Fierro • 21 Villanueva • 22 Lorca • Coach: Acosta