Rubén Vargas
LW
Wide Forward
Aug 5, 1998 (28)
Right
5'10"
170 lb
Deals with parameniscitis in right knee
Vargas has been diagnosed with parameniscitis in his right knee, an inflammation around the periphery of the meniscus often linked to overuse or a small tear, according to Candela Vazquez of ABC.
Analysis: Vargas will miss the upcoming match against Espanyol, and it remains to be seen whether he can return before the international break. His setback comes not long after his move to Olympiacos collapsed and he returned to full training with Sevilla, and coach Luis Plaza will continue relying on Miguel Sierra and Alfon on the right flank in his absence.
Dealing with knee discomfort
Vargas was absent from Thursday's training session due to knee discomfort, according to Zona Mixta.
Analysis: Vargas had felt the discomfort during the previous session and is now working apart from his teammates, an early setback that comes not long after his move to Olympiacos collapsed and he returned to full training with Sevilla. His path back into full sessions will be worth monitoring as the club continues integrating him into the squad following the transfer saga.
Move collapses, expected to stay
Vargas trained normally with the team on Tuesday on the final day of the transfer window, a strong sign his departure is now practically impossible, according to Zona Mixta.
Analysis: Vargas had recently been left out of the squad against Atletico Madrid while negotiations over a potential move to Olympiacos remained ongoing, with coach Luis Plaza citing the difficulty of managing his situation. That transfer now appears to have collapsed, and Vargas is expected to remain at Sevilla for the rest of the season as the club shifts its focus back to integrating him into the squad.
Won't be called up
Vargas won't be called up for Saturday's clash against Atletico Madrid, according to coach Luis Plaza, per Zona Mixta. "He won't be called up. It's hard to manage his situation until the end of the market."
Analysis: Vargas had recently returned to team training as negotiations over a potential move to Olympiacos remain ongoing, with reports suggesting he has agreed terms with the Greek club even as the two teams have yet to finalize a deal. His exclusion from the squad reflects the club's cautious approach to his uncertain future.
Returns to team training
Vargas returned to team training Wednesday as negotiations over a potential transfer to Olympiacos remain ongoing, according to ABC Sevilla.
Analysis: Vargas has been reintegrated into team training after previously being kept away from full involvement to avoid jeopardizing a potential transfer. The winger has reportedly agreed terms with Olympiacos, but the clubs have yet to reach an agreement, leaving his availability for the upcoming clash against Atletico Madrid uncertain. Oso is expected to retain his starting role on the left wing while the uncertainty surrounding Vargas' future continues.
Held back due to market situation
Vargas will not travel for Saturday's match against Athletic Bilbao, with the decision tied entirely to his transfer situation rather than fitness, according to coach Luis Plaza. "He's not traveling, these are the circumstances of the market. With La Liga underway and reports that he's close to leaving, imagine him traveling and getting injured; a club as financially needy as ours would lose out on a transfer, I'd lose Ruben to injury and lose his replacement too. It's an inconsistency because we have to play, but that's what happens when the market is still open. I'm told he's very close to leaving, so he can't travel. If Ruben plays tomorrow and gets injured, it's a loss for everyone."
Analysis: Vargas had already missed Thursday's session for workload management before sitting out Friday's as well, and Plaza's comments now make clear his absence has nothing to do with fitness and everything to do with protecting a pending departure from the club. Oso is expected to start on the left wing in his place, with Sevilla left to navigate the tension between an active transfer negotiation and the demands of the opening weeks of the season.
Reports to Sevilla
Vargas is ready for the new season with Sevilla after the World Cup with Switzerland, according to the club.
Analysis: Vargas dealt with multiple injuries during his first full season at the club, managing three goals and six assists across 24 LaLiga appearances, and closed out the World Cup with a difficult ending, entering the loss to Argentina for only the final five minutes of extra time after Breel Embolo's red card. Despite the frustrating finish, he had a decent overall tournament, contributing one assist and two goals across six appearances, and his return to club training now shifts focus to preseason preparations as he looks to stay healthy heading into a fuller third season in Spain.
Enters match in extra time
Vargas recorded no stats in Saturday's 3-1 loss versus Argentina.
Analysis: Vargas joined the match when it was likely too little too late for Switzerland, as he only played the final five minutes of extra time. However, this was likely due to the red card to Breel Embolo, needing to protect their net as they were level with Argentina, likely to feature sooner if not for the red card. This is a rough way to end the World Cup after a decent campaign for the attacker, notching one assist and two goals in his six appearances (three starts).
Named among substitutes
Vargas (undisclosed) is on the bench for Tuesday's World Cup Round of 16 clash against Colombia.
Analysis: Vargas had been considered a major doubt after leaving training early on Monday, but he recovered sufficiently to be included in the matchday squad. However, Switzerland opted not to risk one of its key attacking players from the opening whistle, ending his streak of starts at the tournament. Fabian Rieder gets the nod on the wing after Vargas entered the match with two goals and one assist in the World Cup. Vargas remains available as an impact option off the bench if Switzerland needs additional attacking quality later in the contest.
Late call for Tuesday
Vargas exited training early Monday ahead of Tuesday's match against Colombia and is now questionable, according to manager Murat Yakin, per Lucas Werder of Blick. "The annoyance is, of course, great that they had to interrupt training one day before the game. It would be a big loss if they couldn't stand on the court tomorrow. We will look closely today and tomorrow to see if they can still be there"
Analysis: Vargas has some questions around his availability heading into Tuesday, as the winger was forced to exit training early. This is a major concern for the team, as he has started in all but one game so far this World Cup and remains one of their top attacking options, plus Johan Manzambi (undisclosed) is also questionable. Vargas has earned two goals and an assist, so his absence would leave a hole on the left flank. With two other options to join the midfield in Michel Aebischer (undisclosed) and Djibril Sow (undisclosed) also questionable to play, Fabian Rieder or Noah Okafor could find starting time if Vargas is out.
Delivers from left flank
Vargas had four crosses (two accurate) and two corners in Thursday's 2-0 victory over Algeria.
Analysis: Vargas registered four crosses (two accurate), two chances created and one interception across his 71 minutes in Thursday's 2-0 win over Algeria before being replaced by Fabian Rieder, providing consistent width and delivery from the left side of Switzerland's attack against an Algerian defensive block that struggled to cope with his combination with Johan Manzambi throughout the first half. The winger contributed to the attacking pressure that kept Algeria pinned back for large spells, and his delivery and directness give Switzerland an important attacking option heading into the round of 16 against Colombia or Ghana in Vancouver.
Scores in Canada fixture
Vargas scored one goal to go with one shot (one on target), two crosses (zero accurate) and two corners in Wednesday's 2-1 win over Canada.
Analysis: Vargas returned to the starting lineup after being deployed as a sub in the previous game and broke the deadlock right away in the second half with a clever finish on the near post after cutting from the wing, making the stat sheet in back-to-back matches. He has registered at least one shot and one cross in all three games, amassing six (four on target) and 17 (three on target), assisting once and adding two corners and three tackles (two won).
Goal and assist off bench
Vargas scored one goal and assisted once from two shots and one chance created in Thursday's 4-1 victory versus Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Analysis: Vargas was surprisingly left out of the starting XI but wasted no time proving a point when he came on. He and Johan Manzambi transformed the game from the moment they stepped onto the pitch, with Vargas's runs and crosses down the left directly influencing three of Switzerland's goals, capped by a goal and an assist of his own.
Active outing on left flank
Vargas recorded three shots (one on goal), 11 crosses (three accurate) and six corners in Saturday's 1-1 draw against Qatar.
Analysis: Vargas was direct and persistent throughout his 79 minutes in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Qatar, registering three shots (one on target) from the left flank and combining consistently with Granit Xhaka and Breel Embolo in the final third as Switzerland's most active wide outlet on the left side of the pitch, also delivering 11 crosses including six corners, the most of any player on the pitch. The winger drove at the Qatar backline with determination and contributed to the sustained pressure that kept Qatar pinned back for large spells, with his set-piece delivery in particular creating multiple dangerous situations inside the box that Qatar struggled to deal with throughout. Replaced by Zeki Amdouni with his side still leading 1-0, Vargas was not on the pitch to witness the stoppage-time own goal that denied Switzerland a winning start, with his exit one of the tactical decisions coach Murat Yakin will be reflecting on ahead of the Bosnia-Herzegovina clash on Thursday.
Starts against Qatar
Vargas (undisclosed) is on the starting XI for Switzerland's game against Qatar
Analysis: Vargas was absent from Saturday's 1-1 draw against Australia after picking up a minor undisclosed injury on Wednesday, an issue that saw him train apart from the group on Friday. He returned to full training shortly after and reclaimed his place in the starting eleven without delay.
Trains fully with Switzerland
Vargas (undisclosed) is training at full capacity as part of a fully healthy Switzerland squad, according to Lucas Werder of Blick Sport.
Analysis: Vargas missed Saturday's 1-1 draw against Australia due to a minor undisclosed injury sustained Wednesday, which led to him training separately from the group on Friday. He is now back training at full capacity as part of a fully healthy squad ahead of the opener against Qatar and could push for a starting spot.
Dealing with minor injury
Vargas (undisclosed) missed Saturday's 1-1 draw against Australia after picking up a minor injury on Wednesday and training separately from the group on Friday, though coach Murat Yakin confirmed he will be fully available to train with the squad from this week, according to RTS. "All the players are healthy, which is very important. Next week, we will be able to train with all the players, including Breel and Ruben."
Analysis: Vargas has been one of the most important figures in coach Murat Yakin's setup since the beginning of his tenure and is expected to be fully fit for Switzerland's World Cup opener against Qatar on June 13. The winger's return to full training this week will give the coach the full complement of attacking options he needs to finalize his preparations for the tournament.
Creative force for Switzerland
Vargas has been named in Switzerland's World Cup squad and is expected to start on the left wing under coach Murat Yakin, arriving at the tournament in good physical condition after managing to string together a consistent run of matches in the final stretch of a difficult season with Sevilla.
Analysis: Vargas endured a campaign heavily disrupted by injuries but finished strongly, contributing three goals and six assists alongside 90 crosses including 40 corners across 24 appearances this season. His set-piece duties for both club and country enhance his value, with the Swiss winger handling corners and free kicks and ranking among the tournament's top dead-ball specialists. His ability to deliver dangerous crosses from wide areas and create chances through direct running gives Switzerland a consistent attacking threat down the left flank. Vargas is one of the most important creative outlets in manager Murat Yakin's system. His experience in major international tournaments and his understanding of the national team's style of play give him a natural advantage heading into the competition, particularly given the attacking responsibility he carries on that side of the pitch.
Three shots off bench
Vargas generated three shots (zero on goal), one cross (one accurate) and one corner in Saturday's 1-0 defeat versus Celta Vigo.
Analysis: Vargas made an appearance off the bench during the final of the season Saturday. A mid season hamstring injury saw the forward miss some time, resulting in just 24 appearances in La a Liga (20 starts). He still managed to be the team's top playmaker with six assists, along with his three goals while collecting 90 crosses and creating 28 chances.
Able to get assist
Vargas assisted once to go with one shot (zero on goal), five crosses (zero accurate) and three corners in Wednesday's 3-2 victory over Villarreal.
Analysis: Despite zero accurate crosses, Vargas was able to get an assist thanks to his three created chances. Similar to his teammate Djibril Sow, Vargas will need to remain heavily active for Sevilla to breach a Real Madrid defense which has let in just 33 goals in La Liga play.
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