Eduardo Vargas
A dynamic and clutch Chilean forward whose goals were instrumental in delivering his nation's first major international football trophies.
Born 1989 (age 37)·Chilean footballer·Birthday: November 20·Millennials
Biography
Eduardo Vargas is the embodiment of a big-game player for Chilean football. While his club career saw him traverse teams in Chile, Italy, England, and Brazil, his legacy is indelibly written in the red of the Chilean national team. Nicknamed 'El Tuco', Vargas possessed a blistering shot and a knack for arriving in the right place at the most critical moments. He was a central figure in Chile's golden generation, forming a potent attacking partnership with Alexis Sánchez. His goals were the engine of their historic back-to-back Copa América triumphs in 2015 and 2016, including a stunning four-goal performance in the 2016 semi-final. For Chilean fans, Vargas is not just a striker; he is the sharpshooter who helped exorcise decades of near-misses and finally put La Roja on top of the continent.
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.
Eduardo was born in 1989, 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 Eduardo Was Born
The biggest hits of 1989
#1 Movie
Batman
Best Picture
Driving Miss Daisy
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Eduardo's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1989Born
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1994Started school
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
2002Became a teenager
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Could drive
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
2007Could vote
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2010Turned 21
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2019Turned 30
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 37 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Was a key player and top scorer in Chile's 2015 and 2016 Copa América championship victories.
- Scored four goals in a single match against Mexico in the semi-final of the 2016 Copa América Centenario.
- Won the Copa Sudamericana with Chilean club Universidad de Chile in 2011.
- Was named the Best Player of the 2011 Copa Sudamericana tournament.
Did You Know?
He is the all-time top scorer for the Chilean national team in Copa América history.
He had a stint at the English Premier League club Queens Park Rangers.
His nickname 'El Tuco' is a common Chilean slang term with no direct translation, often used for a clever or street-smart person.
He began his professional career at Cobreloa before his breakout move to Universidad de Chile.
“For Chile, I always find the goal when it matters.”
