Challenges Faced by Rubén Vargas and Sevilla FC

In the recent match against Celta de Vigo, one of the most poignant images was that of Rubén Vargas covering his face with his jersey and departing the field after injuring himself just minutes following his return. This marks his fourth injury in ten months, compounding the disappointment of not being able to rely on a pivotal player like the Swiss international during this critical phase of the season.

Having received medical clearance after a month and a half away due to a prior injury sustained in the match against Espanyol, Vargas was expected to gradually increase his playing time, starting against the Celestes. “We had agreed on the approximate duration he could play, which is when the substitution took place, but he lasted very little. He felt discomfort in the same area where he had suffered his previous injury. We hope it’s not too serious. In these situations, the psychological aspect plays a significant role in each person’s life, often leading to varying levels of effort, and many injuries stem from a mental perspective,” Almeyda remarked post-match.

Signed a year ago from Augsburg for around €2.5 million, including some variables, Vargas committed to Sevilla until 2029. He was sidelined for three months following an injury in April against Atlético de Madrid. This season, he missed the league opener due to a minor ailment and subsequently suffered an injury during the visit to Espanyol after playing for his national team during the international break. In total, he has been absent for a month and a half, missing seven matches, which presents concerning statistics. With Vargas on the pitch, Sevilla has secured 16 out of 36 possible points (44.4%), while their performance without him has dropped to 4 out of 18 (22.2%), in addition to their elimination from the Copa del Rey. This does not even account for the match against Celta, where he was only able to contribute for a few minutes.

This latest injury, affecting his hamstring, will again leave him sidelined for several weeks, raising fears of a further setback. Additionally, Sevilla needs to make a significant sale in the coming weeks to facilitate winter signings, and Vargas was considered a potential candidate for transfer. However, this recent setback complicates his exit.