Decisive against Messi and remarkable celebration: Meet Kerwin Vargas, Athletico’s new reinforcement

During his five years in Major League Soccer (MLS), Vargas had the peak of his career when he decided a match against Inter Miami, club owned by star player Lionel Messi. In October 2023, the Colombian stole the show from the Argentine and secured a 1-0 victory in the last round of the regular phase, qualifying Charlotte for the competition’s playoffs.

“I started my professional career in Portugal and my longest stay in the United States was for a longer period of time and was very good. My best moment was the match against Messi, there at Charlotte. The stadium was full and I scored the goal that won and qualified for the playoffs. That was the game that marked me the most. You look at the guy, you play with him in the video game and to be playing alongside him and kill his team… That day was very good”, he recalled.

In addition, Kerwin Vargas also made it clear that one of his trademarks is his acrobatics in goal celebrations. It all started when I wasn’t yet a professional athlete, but I was already testing movements with balance, agility and motor coordination.

“I was very humble. My house had a lot of sand, so I always tried [practicing jumps] when I was very young. I hurt my head and did everything, but once talking to a friend, he said ‘why don’t you do it after a goal?’. Then once I scored and did it, then it stayed forever. Personal mark”, he said, good-natured.

Without the need to improve his physical side, as he was playing for Charlotte FC, Kerwin Vargas already had his name published in the Daily Newsletter (BID), of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF), this Friday (31), and could make his debut with the red-black shirt. The tendency is for him to be available against Vitória on Monday (3), at 9 pm, at Arena da Baixada, for the first leg of the round of 16 of the Copa do Brasil. (Photo: Yan Guimarães/Athletico).

Striker was impressed with Furacão

Kerwin Vargas said he was impressed with Athletico and that he watched the comeback triumph over São Paulo, in addition to following the replacement of the synthetic pitch at the Arena da Baixada.

“It was a great game and the result was very beautiful. I also saw that the pitch is “I’m new and it’s very good. I’m a very passionate player and I live football a lot. I want to be in the stadium with all the fans because I really like interacting. I’m very happy to be here and with my family, everyone welcomed me in the best way. From the first moment my agent spoke to me, I looked a lot about the team. on the field and who is eager to get on the field and feel the support of the fans in Baixada.

“It’s a very big team. I want to arrive and give the best of myself. Expect a player who is very committed to the team, whether on or off the field. I will always be ready to give it all I have. Expect a player who will play the 90 minutes and I hope I can bring a lot of joy to all the Furacão fans”, he added.

Agenda: see Athletico’s upcoming appointments

• Athletico x Vitória: August 3rd (Monday), at 9pm, at Arena da Baixada, in Curitiba;
• Vitória x Athletico: August 6th (Thursday), at 8pm, at Barradão, in Salvador;
• Santos x Athletico: August 9th (Sunday), at 6:30 pm, at Vila Belmiro, in Santos;
• Athletico x Red Bull Bragantino: August 15th (Saturday), at 6:30 pm, at Arena da Baixada, in Curitiba.