- Coquimbo Unido were trailing against Platense, but the introduction of Guido Vadalá proved the catalyst for their equaliser.
- The man wearing the ‘Pirata’ No10 shirt scored the leveller to secure an excellent result for his side ahead of the CONMEBOL Libertadores Round of 16 decider in Chile.
Guido Vadalá was thrust into the international spotlight far too early. He was just 12 years old when, after trials at La Masia and Italian side Atalanta, people in Europe were already wondering whether he could become the next Lionel Messi. A few years later, still not even 18, a video of him went around the world while he was playing for Boca Juniors’ youth team: on a sunny afternoon, he scored seven goals against Argentinos Juniors. ‘Xeneize’ appeared to have the next great jewel of Argentine football on their hands.
Carlos Bianchi, one of the most iconic figures in Boca’s history, called for him to join the first team in 2014 and handed him his debut in a friendly against Estudiantes de La Plata in January of that year. Almost 12 months later, Vadalá made his official senior debut during Rodolfo Arruabarrena’s first spell in charge, producing an eye-catching CONMEBOL Libertadores performance against Palestino. That night, he set up Jonathan Calleri for the goal that sealed a 2-0 victory. “I want to make the most of this opportunity and earn my place in the squad,” the still-teenage forward said at the time.
His future looked hugely promising, but Vadalá would soon continue his career with one of Europe’s giants. Boca were negotiating Carlos Tevez’s return and the young prospect was included as part of the deal, moving on a two-year loan. After struggling for regular first-team football, he returned to ‘La Bombonera’ in August 2016 before being loaned to Unión de Santa Fe for a season, where he featured in around 20 matches.
Back at Boca for the 2017/18 campaign, his strong performances for the reserve side earned him opportunities under Guillermo Barros Schelotto. Vadalá even started and scored his only goal in a ‘Xeneize’ shirt against Arsenal de Sarandí.
But opportunities at Boca eventually dried up, and Vadalá moved on to Universidad de Concepción, beginning a journey that would take him across different corners of the Americas. He went on to represent Deportes Tolima in Colombia, Charlotte in the United States, and Sarmiento de Junín, Mitre de Santiago del Estero and Alvarado in Argentina, before moving to Bolivia in 2025. It was at Blooming that he produced the best season of his career, scoring 18 goals and providing 13 assists in 44 appearances to become the focal point of the team’s attacking system and one of the squad’s leading figures. “Today I bring a very important chapter of my career to a close. This was a place where I felt happy, valued and supported, something I will always carry with me,” he said after completing his move to Coquimbo Unido.
It was Christmas in Chile when ‘Pirata’ announced the signing of Vadalá, the man chosen to replace Matías Palavecino. The Chilean champions were not betting on the prospect he had once been during his Boca Juniors days; they were signing the player he had proven himself to be in Bolivia. “The Magician joins the champions,” read the announcement. And ‘El Mago’ delivered: after scoring twice during the CONMEBOL Libertadores Group Stage, his introduction against Platense in Vicente López transformed the match in the space of 30 minutes.
Wearing the No10 shirt, Vadalá changed the game. His impact was immediate: just one minute after coming on, a perfectly weighted through ball sent Lucas Pratto one-on-one with the home goalkeeper in a move that was later ruled out. His presence brought an extra level of quality and class to the Chilean attack, but his influence would become even greater in the 49th minute of the second half, when he finished superbly past the onrushing Juan Pablo Cozzani to secure the final 1-1 draw in Buenos Aires.
"I’m happy to have scored the late goal, but the most important thing is that it helped the team. You always picture yourself being the protagonist and dream of moments like this. Sometimes they don’t happen, but tonight it did. Now we have to prepare ourselves to keep making history," he said after a draw that felt like a victory.
For Coquimbo and Vadalá, the story now has two sides. The first is collective: the Chilean side are looking to extend the best campaign in their history, having reached the Round of 16 for the first time after bowing out in the Group Stage in their only previous appearance, back in 1992.
On an individual level, Vadalá will have the chance to further enhance his status at the Chilean club when Coquimbo Unido host Platense next Wednesday. His goal in Vicente López drew him level with Pedro González, who scored three times in 1992, as the club’s all-time leading scorer in the CONMEBOL Libertadores.
