1. Overview
Juan Pablo Vargas Campos, born on June 6, 1995, is a Costa Rican professional footballer who plays as a central defender for Categoría Primera A club Millonarios and the Costa Rica national team. Hailing from Sarchí, Vargas began his career in the youth academy of Liga Deportiva Alajuelense before making his professional debut. His club career has seen him play for various teams including Belén, Herediano, and Deportes Tolima on loan, eventually settling as a key player for Millonarios where he has achieved significant success, including multiple domestic titles. Internationally, Vargas represents the Costa Rica national team, having debuted in 2017 and notably participating in the 2022 FIFA World Cup where he scored a goal against Germany.
2. Early Life and Career Beginnings
Juan Pablo Vargas Campos was born on June 6, 1995, in Sarchí, Alajuela, Costa Rica. He stands at 76 in (192 cm). His early football development took place within the youth academy of Liga Deportiva Alajuelense, one of Costa Rica's prominent football clubs.
2.1. Youth Career and Professional Debut
Vargas progressed through the ranks at Liga Deportiva Alajuelense and was promoted to the first team squad on May 30, 2013, by coach Óscar Ramírez. He was promoted alongside other promising youth players, Ronald Matarrita and Steve Garita.
His professional debut came quickly, on July 7, 2013, in the 2013 Costa Rican Cup, where he appeared as a late substitute in a 2-1 away loss against UCR. Just four days later, Vargas scored his first professional goal, netting the final goal in a 3-1 home victory against the same opponent. Despite this early start, Vargas primarily served as a backup option in the subsequent years. He made his league debut on February 18, 2015, starting in a 2-1 home defeat to Limón. During the 2015-16 season, he made only five appearances for the club.
3. Club Career
Juan Pablo Vargas's career has spanned several clubs, evolving from a youth product in Costa Rica to a key defender in the Colombian league.
3.1. Alajuelense (2013-2016)
Juan Pablo Vargas spent his early professional years at Liga Deportiva Alajuelense. After being promoted to the main squad in 2013, he made his first team debut in the 2013 Costa Rican Cup and scored his first professional goal shortly thereafter. However, he remained largely a backup player during this period, with limited appearances in the league. His league debut came in February 2015, and he played in only five matches during the 2015-16 season, highlighting his developing role within the team.
3.2. Herediano and Loan Spells (2016-2019)
Following his time at Alajuelense, Vargas moved to C.S. Herediano, a transfer that marked a complex period involving loan spells and a transfer dispute.
3.2.1. Loan to Belén and Transfer Controversy (2016-2017)
On June 8, 2016, Vargas signed a contract with C.S. Herediano. Immediately following the signing, he was loaned to Belén for the entirety of the 2016-17 season. This transfer, however, sparked a controversy in September 2016 when his former club, Liga Deportiva Alajuelense, raised concerns about the transfer's legality. Alajuelense alleged an abnormal signing, claiming Vargas's federative rights were assigned to Jacó Rays F.C. before his loan to Belén. The dispute between Alajuelense and Herediano was resolved in June 2017, with an agreement that guaranteed Alajuelense 50% of any future transfer fee if Vargas were to move to a foreign club.
During his loan at Belén, Vargas established himself as an undisputed starter, making 34 league appearances and scoring four goals. In December 2016, he also underwent a trial with Ascenso MX side Lobos BUAP in Mexico, though this did not result in a permanent move.
3.2.2. Time at Herediano (2017-2018)
In May 2017, Vargas returned to C.S. Herediano following his successful loan spell at Belén. Initially, he served as a backup option during the 2017 Apertura tournament. However, he quickly established himself as a first-choice defender during the 2018 Clausura. During this period, Herediano finished second in both tournaments, losing in the respective finals.
3.2.3. Loan to Deportes Tolima (2018-2019)
On August 1, 2018, Juan Pablo Vargas made his first move abroad, joining Categoría Primera A side Deportes Tolima in Colombia on a loan deal. He did not make any appearances for the remainder of 2018. His debut for the club eventually came on January 23, 2019, when he entered as a late substitute in a 2-1 away victory over Atlético Junior in the 2019 Superliga Colombiana.
Vargas became a regular starter for Deportes Tolima in 2019. However, his progress was interrupted in July 2019 when he suffered a knee injury, which sidelined him for nearly three months. He departed the club in December 2019, after his loan agreement expired.
3.3. Millonarios (2020-present)
On January 3, 2020, Juan Pablo Vargas joined Millonarios in Colombia on a year-long loan. After consistently featuring in the team throughout the year, Millonarios acquired his sporting rights permanently on December 30, 2020, and Vargas signed a three-year contract with the club.
Vargas has since achieved great form playing for Millonarios and has been lauded as one of the best defenders in the Colombian league. His impressive performances have even led to tongue-in-cheek comparisons with global football icon Lionel Messi, particularly after he delivered an extraordinary assist in a 4-1 victory against Cortuluá. As a key player, Vargas helped Millonarios reach the final of the Copa Colombia in September 2022, securing a significant title for the club. He has continued to be a foundational player for the team, contributing to their success in various domestic competitions.
4. International Career
Juan Pablo Vargas has represented the Costa Rica national football team at various levels, culminating in his appearances at the FIFA World Cup.
4.1. Senior National Team Debut
Vargas made his senior international debut for the Costa Rica national football team at the 2017 Copa Centroamericana. His first appearance was on January 15, 2017, in a 3-0 victory over the Belize national team. He scored his first goal for the national team on March 30, 2022, in a 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification match against the United States, netting the opening goal in a 2-0 win.
4.2. FIFA World Cup Participation
In November 2022, Juan Pablo Vargas was selected for Costa Rica's squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. He made his debut in the tournament on December 1, 2022, starting in a group stage match against Germany. Despite Costa Rica's 4-2 loss, Vargas scored his country's second goal, marking a significant personal achievement in his World Cup debut.
5. Playing Style and Assessment
Juan Pablo Vargas is predominantly a central defender known for his strong defensive attributes. His performances for Millonarios in the Colombian league have earned him recognition, with some media and fans calling him the "best defender" in the league. His ability to contribute offensively was humorously highlighted when he provided an extraordinary assist, leading to tongue-in-cheek comparisons to Lionel Messi.
6. Honours
Millonarios
- Copa Colombia: 2022
- Categoría Primera A: 2023 Apertura
- Superliga Colombiana: 2024
7. Career Statistics
Detailed statistical data for Juan Pablo Vargas Campos's club and national team appearances and goal-scoring records are provided below.
7.1. Club Statistics
This table reflects his club appearances and goals as of July 27, 2023.
| Club | Season | League | Cup | Continental | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Alajuelense | 2013-14 | Liga FPD | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | - | - | 2 | 1 | ||
| 2014-15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | - | 1 | 0 | ||||
| 2015-16 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | - | - | 6 | 0 | ||||
| Total | 6 | 0 | 3 | 1 | - | - | 9 | 1 | ||||
| Belén | 2016-17 | Liga FPD | 34 | 4 | 0 | 0 | - | - | 34 | 4 | ||
| Herediano | 2017-18 | Liga FPD | 29 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | - | 31 | 3 | |
| Deportes Tolima | 2018 | Categoría Primera A | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | - | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2019 | 17 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 21 | 0 | ||
| Total | 17 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 21 | 0 | ||
| Millonarios | 2020 | Categoría Primera A | 21 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | - | 25 | 1 | |
| 2021 | 35 | 0 | 2 | 0 | - | - | 37 | 0 | ||||
| 2022 | 33 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | - | 40 | 2 | |||
| 2023 | 19 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | - | 28 | 2 | |||
| Total | 108 | 5 | 7 | 0 | 15 | 0 | - | 130 | 5 | |||
| Career total | 194 | 12 | 11 | 1 | 19 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 225 | 13 | ||
7.2. International Statistics
This table reflects his national team appearances and goals as of October 15, 2024.
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Costa Rica | 2017 | 1 | 0 |
| 2018 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2019 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2020 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2022 | 9 | 2 | |
| 2023 | 7 | 1 | |
| 2024 | 9 | 0 | |
| Total | 30 | 3 | |
7.3. International Goals
Scores and results list Costa Rica's goal tally first.
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 30 March 2022 | Estadio Nacional, San José, Costa Rica | United States | 1-0 | 2-0 | 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 2. | 1 December 2022 | Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor, Qatar | Germany | 2-1 | 2-4 | 2022 FIFA World Cup |
| 3. | 4 July 2023 | Red Bull Arena, Harrison, United States | Martinique | 3-1 | 6-4 | 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup |