Rodrigo Vargas

Vargas began his career at the Victorian Premier League side, Springvale City, where he debuted at the age of 17 under Gus McLeod. After three seasons with Port Melbourne, at the age of 21, he was recruited by National Soccer League side Melbourne Knights FC. He had a very successful tenure at the club, playing in over 100 games in five seasons as well as being awarded the captaincy. When the National Soccer League came to an end in 2004, he moved to the Victorian Premier League side Green Gully in 2005, where he developed a reputation as a goal scoring defender from set pieces. Vargas was drafted into Melbourne Victory FC in 2006 after a successful trial, and soon became a key member of the Victory back line. He was the subject in a controversy when he was allegedly called a "black monkey" by the Newcastle United Jets midfielder, Stuart Musialik. Vargas was a key member of the Melbourne Victory team in their first appearance in the Asian Champions League in 2008 against Chunnan Dragons at the Telstra Dome. Vargas capped off a great performance with a brilliant goal, the club's second ever in Asia and only the second by Vargas for Melbourne Victory. Vargas was also captain for Melbourne Victory in their pre-season Cup win over Wellington Phoenix on 6 August 2008. On 28 March 2012, it was announced that he had been released from Melbourne Victory after six seasons with the club. Two days later, Green Gully Cavaliers announced that he would rejoin his brother Andy at their…

Born in Australia, Vargas is of Chilean descent. He was included in the Australia national football team for the AFC World Cup qualification matches against Qatar and Iraq and an international friendly against Ghana, but did not play his first international game until January 2009 against Indonesia for an Asian Cup qualification match.

Melbourne Victory

A-League Championship: 2006-2007, 2008-2009 A-League Premiership: 2006-2007, 2008-2009 Individual

Melbourne Victory FC Victory Medal: 2007-2008