Quick Facts
Biography
Charles Mariano Aránguiz Sandoval (pronounced: [aˈɾaŋɡis]; born 17 April 1989) is a Chilean footballer who plays as a midfielder for German club Bayer Leverkusen and the Chile national team.
With his former club Universidad de Chile, Aránguiz was considered one of the best midfielders in the Chilean Primera División, with a good sense of tactics, impressive stamina and intelligent playmaking, marking and passing abilities. He can play as a defensive, centre or even as a right wing midfielder. He is described by FIFA's official website as "a crafty, tigerish midfielder of the highest order, notable for his ability to win and distribute the ball, pick out passes and hit the back of the net".
Club career
Early life
Aránguiz was born in Puente Alto in Diego Portales neighborhood. His mother, Mariana Sandoval, is a football coach. He started to play football in Universidad de Chile before leaving the club to join Cobreloa Academy when he was 13 years old.
Early career
Aránguiz made his professional debut in 2006, for Cobreloa against Cobresal. His first goal in the Primera División was against O'Higgins in the same year. After a spell on loan at Cobresal, Aránguiz joined Colo-Colo, where he won the Clausura championship in 2009.
In 2010, Aránguiz had a short spell at Argentine club Quilmes, before joining Colo-Colo's historic rivals Universidad de Chile for a fee of £616,000 on 1 January 2011. He immediately became an integral part of the squad, helping "U" to win the 2011 Copa Sudamericana, where the Chilean team remained unbeaten for the entire tournament. By defeating Ecuadorian side Liga de Quito 4–0 on aggregate in the final, Universidad de Chile became the first Chilean side to win a continental competition in twenty years.
Having drawn 3–3 on aggregate with Unión Española in the semi-finals of the Copa Chile, Aránguiz led his team to the final, netting the "U"'s first kick in a 5–4 penalty shootout victory on 17 April 2013. In the final, he played the full ninety minutes as Universidad secured a 2–1 win over Universidad Católica thanks to a stoppage-time goal from Juan Ignacio Duma.
International
On 11 January 2014, it was announced that Aránguiz was signed by Brazilian club Internacional on loan until 15 August 2014 from Granada CF, after its owner Giampaolo Pozzo, who also owns Udinese and Watford, had bought half of his rights from Universidad de Chile. Although he never played for the Spanish club, as he was quickly loaned to the Brazilian club and later sold.
He was named the MVP of the 2014 Campeonato Gaúcho as Internacional won the tournament for a record 43rd time.
On 11 June 2014, Charles Aránguiz's purchase was announced by Internacional's board in a joint transaction with investor Delcir Sonda for an undisclosed fee. Aránguiz signed a new contract which expires in June, 2018.
Bayer Leverkusen
On 13 August 2015, Bayer Leverkusen announced that they had signed Aránguiz from Internacional for an undisclosed fee. thought to be around £8.6mHe was given the number 20 shirt. Aranguiz opted for Leverkusen over Leicester City who had reportedly offered a deal worth significantly more. Shortly after, Aranguiz unfortunately tore his achilles in a training session before the start of the season that ruled him out for majority of the season ahead. After recovering from his injury, Aránguiz has played superbly. He has been a key player in Bayer Leverkusen's team and he has helped Leverkusen perform very well in the Champions League during the 2016/17 season.
International career
He participated in Milk Cup in 2007. In 2008 he participated in Toulon Tournament, Milk Cup, and the Talents Cup. He participated for the U-20 Chile team in 2009 South American Youth Championship; there he scored one goal in the championship from a free kick.
Aránguiz made his debut for the Chile national team in 2009, but was not selected for the 2010 FIFA World Cup or the 2011 Copa América. He established himself in the Chile team during its successful 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign, making seven appearances and scoring in wins against Bolivia and Venezuela.
On 1 June 2014, Aránguiz was named to Chile's final 23-man roster for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. In Chile's second group match against defending champions Spain at the Estádio do Maracanã, he provided the assist for Eduardo Vargas's goal before scoring himself as Chile eliminated Spain and secured qualification to the round of 16.
At the 2015 Copa América, held in Chile, Aránguiz scored twice during a 5–0 defeat of Bolivia which ensured that La Roja would progress to the knockout stage as Group A winners.
The following year, Aránguiz was once again a key player for Chile in their 2016 Copa America Centenario triumph. Aránguiz scored the crucial opening goal against Colombia in Chile's 2-0 semi final victory over them. He then also played great in the final against Argentina and he converted a vital penalty in the penalty shoot out which gave Chile victory once again against Argentina. Chile raised the Copa America trophy with this triumph and Aránguiz was a key player for them throughout the tournament.
International goals
- Scores and results list Chile's goal tally first.
| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 2 June 2012 | Estadio Hernando Siles, La Paz, Bolivia |  Bolivia | 1–0 | 2–0 | 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 2. | 9 June 2012 | Estadio José Antonio Anzoátegui, Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela |  Venezuela | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2014 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 3. | 18 June 2014 | Estádio do Maracanã, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil |  Spain | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2014 FIFA World Cup |
| 4. | 14 October 2014 | Estadio Francisco Sánchez Rumoroso, Coquimbo, Chile | Bolivia | 1–1 | 2–2 | Friendly |
| 5. | 19 June 2015 | Estadio Nacional de Chile, Santiago, Chile | Bolivia | 1–0 | 5–0 | 2015 Copa América |
| 6. | 3–0 | 5–0 | ||||
| 7. | 22 June 2016 | Soldier Field, Chicago, United States |  Colombia | 1–0 | 2–0 | Copa América Centenario |
Honours
Club
- Colo-Colo
- Chilean Primera División (1): 2009-Clausura
- Universidad de Chile
- Chilean Primera División (3): 2011-Apertura, 2011-Clausura, 2012-Apertura
- Copa Sudamericana (1): 2011
- Copa Chile (1): 2012–13
- Internacional
- Campeonato Gaúcho (2): 2014, 2015
International
- Chile
- Copa América (2): 2015, 2016
Individual
- Copa América Team of the Tournament: 2016