Juan Pablo Vargas Campos (born 6 June 1995) is a Costa Rican professional footballer who plays as a central defender for Liga MX club Puebla and the Costa Rica national team.
Club career Alajuelense Born in Sarchí, Alajuela, Vargas came through the academy at Liga Deportiva Alajuelense and was promoted to the main squad by coach Óscar Ramírez on 30 May 2013, along with the other youth Ronald Matarrita and Steve Garita. He made his first team debut in the 2013 Costa Rican Cup on 7 July, coming on as a late substitute in a 2–1 away loss against UCR; four days later he scored his first professional goal, netting his team's last in a 3–1 home win against the same opponent.
Vargas was mainly a backup option during the following years, only making his league debut on 18 February 2015 by starting in a 2–1 home loss against Limón. During the 2015–16 season, he only featured in five matches.
Herediano Loan to Belén and transfer controversy On 8 June 2016, Vargas signed a contract with Herediano, and was immediately loaned to Belén for the entire 2016–17 season. In September, former side Alajuelense complained about his transfer to Herediano, after his federative rights were assigned to before his loan to Belén; Alajuelense and Herediano only reached an agreement in June 2017, after Alajuelense was assured 50% of a transfer to any foreign club.
In December 2016, Vargas went on a trial at Ascenso MX side Lobos BUAP, but nothing came of it. He was an undisputed starter for Belén during the season, scoring four goals in 34 league appearances.
Breakthrough In May 2017, Vargas returned to Herediano. A backup option during the 2017 Apertura, he became a first-choice during the 2018 Clausura; his side finished second in both tournaments, losing both in the Finals.
Loan to Deportes Tolima On 1 August 2018, Vargas moved abroad and joined Categoría Primera A side Deportes Tolima on loan. He failed to make an appearance during the remainder of the year, and only made his debut for the club on 23 January 2019, replacing Luis González late into a 2–1 away win over Atlético Junior, for the year's Superliga Colombiana.
Vargas became a regular starter for Tolima before suffering a knee injury in July 2019, which kept him out for nearly three months. He left the club in December, after his loan expired.
Millonarios On 3 January 2020, Vargas joined Millonarios on loan for the year. On 30 December, after being regularly used, he was bought outright and signed a permanent three-year contract with the club.
Vargas has achieved great form playing for Millonarios and has been called the best defender playing in the Colombian league, with some tongue-in-cheek comparisons with Lionel Messi after an assist in a 4–1 win against Cortuluá. Vargas played as Millionarios reached the final of the Copa Colombia in September 2022.
International career Vargas made his senior Costa Rica debut at the 2017 Copa Centroamericana, playing in a 3–0 win over Belize on 15 January 2017. He scored his first goal for the national team in a 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification match against the United States, netting the opener in a 2–0 victory on 30 March 2022.
In November 2022, Vargas was named to Costa Rica's squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. He made his debut in the competition on 1 December, starting in a 4–2 loss to Germany where he scored the second goal for his country.
Career statistics Club
ClubSeasonLeagueCupContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAlajuelense2013–14Liga FPD0021——212014–151000——102015–165010——60Total6031——91Belén2016–17Liga FPD34400——344Herediano2017–18Liga FPD293002Appearance(s) in CONCACAF Champions Cup0—313Deportes Tolima2018Liga DIMAYOR0000——002019170102Appearance(s) in Copa Libertadores01Appearance(s) in Superliga Colombiana0210Total170102010210Millonarios2020Liga DIMAYOR211004Appearance(s) in Copa Sudamericana0—251202135020——37020223325020—4022023346009Four appearances in Copa Libertadores, five appearances in Copa Sudamericana0—43620243731060—44320251501010—170Total1751290220—20612Puebla2025–26Liga MX141———1412026–27100——2Appearances in Leagues Cup0120Total241——20261Career total285201312603032721
International
+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsCosta Rica2017102018102019202020102022922023712024902025111202630Total444
+List of international goals scored by Juan Pablo Vargas No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition 1. 30 March 2022 Estadi Nacional, San José, Costa Rica 1–0 2–0 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification 2. 1 December 2022 Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor, Qatar 2–1 2–4 2022 FIFA World Cup 3. 4 July 2023 Red Bull Arena, Harrison, United States 3–1 6–4 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup 4. 9 September 2025 Esatdi Nacional, San José, Costa Rica 3–3 3–3 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification
Honours Millonarios Copa Colombia: 2022 Categoría Primera A: 2023 Apertura Superliga Colombiana: 2024
References