Arturo Vidal
A ferocious and intelligent midfielder nicknamed 'The Warrior,' he was the relentless engine of Chile's greatest football generation.
Born 1987 (age 39)·Chilean footballer·Birthday: May 22·Millennials
Biography
Arturo Vidal's football journey began in the tough Santiago neighborhood of San Joaquín, his combative style forged on the concrete pitches of his youth. He broke through at Colo-Colo before a move to Europe, where he evolved from a defensive destroyer into a complete, box-to-box force. At Juventus, he formed the spine of a dynasty, his relentless energy and tactical intelligence key to four consecutive Serie A titles. A transfer to Bayern Munich added more trophies, but his peak came with the Chilean national team. Alongside Alexis Sánchez and Gary Medel, Vidal was the heartbeat of 'La Roja,' driving them to historic back-to-back Copa América triumphs in 2015 and 2016. His game was a spectacle of controlled aggression—fierce tackles, late runs into the box, and a will to win that often spilled into controversy, cementing his status as a modern midfield icon.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Arturo was born in 1987, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Arturo Was Born
The biggest hits of 1987
#1 Movie
Three Men and a Baby
Best Picture
The Last Emperor
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Arturo's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1987Born
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1992Started school
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2000Became a teenager
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Could drive
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2005Could vote
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2008Turned 21
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2017Turned 30
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Age 39 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won consecutive Copa América titles with Chile in 2015 and 2016, being named to the Team of the Tournament in 2015.
- Won five consecutive Serie A titles with Juventus from 2012 to 2016, being a central figure in midfield.
- Achieved a historic treble (Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, DFL-Supercup) with Bayern Munich in the 2015-16 season.
- Has won league titles in four different countries: Chile, Italy, Germany, and Spain.
Did You Know?
His nickname 'King Arthur' (Rey Arturo) was given to him by Italian media during his time at Juventus.
He is a licensed commercial helicopter pilot.
He had a hair transplant procedure, which he openly discussed and joked about.
He played alongside fellow Chilean Gary Medel at both Colo-Colo and for the national team for over a decade.
“I give my life on the pitch. I die for this shirt.”
