Arturo Vidal Biography Facts, Childhood, Net Worth, Life

Arturo Vidal Biography Facts, Childhood, Net Worth, Life
Arturo Vidal – Biography, Childhood, Career, Accomplishments & Awards. (Photo credit: FC Barcelona)

Arturo Erasmo Vidal Pardo (born 22 May 1987) is a professional associative footballer from Chile, who has created a name for himself as a result of his aggressive style of play. Coupled with his hunger for success and a burning desire to prove himself as one of the very best in football has led Arturo to achieve great feats. A well built, sturdy midfielder, Arturo has always made it difficult for attackers seeking to dispossess him of the ball. His intense and tough style of play is not unrelated to his nickname, “The Warrior”. We take a look at the life of one of South America’s top football stars in this Arturo Vidal Biography Facts, Childhood, Net Worth and Personal Life.

Introducing Arturo Vidal as a substitute in a tightly contested game is bound to bring some positive effect and a whole lot of entertainment to the game as he takes the game to a different level with his superb abilities and playmaking skills.

Arturo Vidal Biography Facts, Age, Info

  • Full Name: Arturo Erasmo Vidal Pardo
  • Nicknames: The Warrior, King Arturo
  • Date of Birth: 22 May 1987
  • Age: 36 years
  • Place of Birth: Santiago, Chile
  • Nationality: Chilean
  • Height: 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
  • Weight: 75 kg
  • Father: Erasmo Vidal
  • Mother: Jacqueline Pardo
  • Siblings: Sandrino Vidal (Brother), Ámbar Vidal (Sister), Victoria Vidal (Sister)
  • Wife: Maria Teresa Matus (married 2009)
  • Children: Alonso Vidal (Son), Elisabetta Vidal (Daughter), Emiliano Vidal
  • Occupation: Footballer
  • Playing Position: Midfielder
  • Strong Foot: Right
  • Current Club/Team: Barcelona FC; Chile National Team
  • Jersey/Kit Number: #22 (Barcelona), #8 (Chile)
  • Zodiac Sign: Gemini

Arturo Vidal Childhood/Early Life, Family Background & Youth Career

Arturo Erasmo Vidal Pardo was born on the 22nd of May 1987, in the Capital city of Santiago, Chile, to his parents Erasmo Vida (father) and Jacqueline Pardo (mother). Arturo was raised in a working-class community in San Joaquin by his father who worked as a shipper but is a drug addict and his mother who was a housekeeper.

As a young boy, Arturo lived in penury. As a means of earning money, Arturo left school on certain days for a horse race track in Santiago where he fed horses and cleaned the stables for meagre pay. Sensing that cleaning horse stables wouldn’t fetch him enough money, Arturo turned to gambling.

Soon, Arturo sought football as a path out of poverty. Chilean footballers such as Marcelo Sales were a big motivation for young Arturo. His uncle noticed his talents and thus linked him to Colo-Colo, a club in the Primera División.

Arturo Vidal Professional Football Career

Colo-Colo (2006–2007)

After joining the youth team of Colo-Colo, Arturo rose through the ranks and made his debut as a professional footballer for the senior team in the Apertura Tournament final. Arturo who came into the game as a late substitute proved vital to his team’s win. They also won the championship. The next season after his debut, Arturo earned more playing time and became a very key part of the team that went on to claim the championship. His top performance in the 2006 Copa Sudamericana attracted European scouts to the young budding star.

Bayer Leverkusen (2007–2011)

Vidal’s performance in the Apertura Tournament held in 2007 and the 2007 U-20 World Cup helped convince Bayer Leverkusen to sign him. Vidal moved to Bayer Leverkusen for the sum of €11 million. The fee made him the most expensive Chilean player. After suffering an injury which delayed his debut, he debuted for Bayer Leverkusen in August. Two games later, Vidal grabbed his first goal for the club. He became a regular player for the club in the 2008/09 season and led his team to the final of the DFB-Pokal. 

His last season with Bayer Leverkusen, the 2010/11 season, Vidal led the club in assists and helped the team finish in the runners-up spot in the Bundesliga. He helped the team secure a spot in the Europa League round of 16.

Juventus (2011–2015)

In the 2011/12 season, Vidal secured a moved to Juventus for €10.5 million. He signed a five-year deal with the club. After making his competitive debut for the club in September 2011, the team went on undefeated throughout the season to claim the Serie A. In August 2012, he commenced his 2012/13 season by converting a penalty in the Supercoppa Italiana. In September, he grabbed his first Champions League goal. He went on to lead Juventus to another Serie A title, which earned him the Player of the Year award by fans who voted on the club’s website. 

In November 2013, after scoring his first career hat trick in a Champions League match, he became the first Juventus player to achieve the feat since 2000. Vidal went on to sign a contract extension with Juventus and also led the team to another Serie A title. Vidal’s season came to an abrupt end after he suffered a knee injury. 

In his last season with Juventus, Vidal was instrumental in Juventus domestic treble after they won the Coppa Italiana and the Serie A. Juventus made it to the 2015 UEFA Champions League final but lost to Barcelona. For his amazing performance, Vidal finished eighth in the UEFA Best Player in Europe Award in 2015.

Bayern Munich (2015–2018)

In July 2015, Vidal made his return to the Bundesliga after he signed a four-year deal with Bayern Munich for €37 million, with €3 million to be paid in bonuses. He debuted for Bayern in the DFL-Supercup in 2015. Vidal’s performance in his debut season for Bayern Munich earned a nomination for the 2015 UEFA Team of the Year. 

In the 2016/17 season, Arturo was a vital player who helped the squad remain undefeated throughout the season to claim their 25th Bundesliga title. His first 2017/18 season goal came in September in a game against Schalke 04. After a series of matches, he had to go through surgery after he had a knee injury.

Barcelona (2018–Present)

In August 2018, Vidal signed a three-year deal with Barcelona which was reported to be worth €19 million with €3 million variables by Diario AS, though the club never released a statement relating to the transfer fee. He debuted for Barcelona in August 2018 in the Spanish Super Cup. 

Arturo Vidal National Team Career

Vidal played for the Chilean U-20 team in the U-20 FIFA World Cup in 2007. He debuted for the senior team during the 2010 World Cup qualifiers. He played in the 2015 Copa América which Chile won in a penalty shootout. He won the man of the match in the final and was named to the Team of the Tournament. Vidal led the Chilean team to defend the Copa América at the Copa América Centenario in 2016 and earned Team of the Tournament honour. He led Chile to the Confederation Cup final in 2017 but lost to Germany. 

After the Chile National side failed to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, he announced that he’ll retire from international football but reversed his decision the next day. He led Chile to fourth place in the 2019 Copa América. 

Arturo Vidal Net Worth, Salary, Endorsement

Arturo Vidal’s net worth is valued at $16 million. Arturo was featured on the cover of the South America version of EA Sports video game, FIFA 14 alongside Lionel Messi. Vidal receives an annual salary of €9 million. Vidal is sponsored by top athletics brand, Nike.

Arturo Vidal Personal Life, Wife & Trivia

Arturo Vidal with his wife and kids
Arturo Vidal with his wife and kids. (Photo credit: tumbral.com)

Vidal is married to Maria Teresa Matus, who is the mother to his children. 

His father is a known drug addict who is always in trouble with the authorities over drug smuggling. His sister Ámbar Vidal who has been on the same path as her father was arrested in 2012 for being an accomplice in a money-laundering scheme.

Though Vidal and his father have a strained relationship, he adores his mother.

He has tattoos with the name King Arturo on the left arm and a spider logo on his right.

Vidal’s love for horses is not hidden. He owns a stable in his homeland, Chile.

SEE MORE: Biography facts and profiles of famous footballers


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