Pablo Ezequiel Vegetti Pfaffen is a name that resonates in the football world, particularly among Argentine and Brazilian fans. Born on October 15, 1988, in Santo Domingo, Santa Fé province, Argentina, Vegetti has distinguished himself as a powerful center-forward, known for his physical strength, aerial prowess, and goal-scoring instinct. Standing at 1.87 meters tall with a tenacious playing style, he has won over fans at various clubs, becoming an idol for teams like Belgrano and, more recently, Vasco da Gama in Brazil. His journey is marked by perseverance, starting late in professional football and overcoming personal challenges to achieve success. At 37 years old in October 2025, Vegetti remains at his peak, being one of the top scorers in Brazilian football and a leader on the pitch.
Biography
Pablo Vegetti’s life is a story of resilience. The son of a truck driver and a physical education teacher, he grew up in a humble family in Santa Fé. From a young age, football was his passion, but Vegetti did not follow the traditional path through youth academies of major clubs. Instead, he planned an academic career, enrolling in university to study Accounting and Physical Education, following in his older sister’s footsteps. However, his talent for the sport prevailed, leading him to abandon his studies to dedicate himself fully to football.
Vegetti is married to psychologist Joselina Bonetti, with whom he has been in a relationship since 2011. The couple has a son, Vittorio, born in 2022. A devout Catholic, he bears a tattoo of Our Lady on his right arm, symbolizing his faith. Off the field, Vegetti is known for his calm personality and unexpected friendships, such as with Argentine comedian Camilo Nicolás. His nicknames—Pirata, El Toro, Vegeta, and El Tanque—reflect his strength and determination, with “Pirata” originating from an iconic celebration where he places a hand over one eye and points forward, inspired by his time at Belgrano.
A defining moment in his life occurred early in his career: during the signing of his first professional contract, his parents were involved in a serious car accident. This nearly led him to abandon his dream, but instead, it became a source of motivation to persevere. This resilience defines Vegetti, who began in amateur football at 20 and only turned professional at 23.
Early Life and Formation
Pablo Vegetti was born in a small town in Argentina’s interior, where street football and local tournaments shaped his talent. Without opportunities in the academies of big clubs, he played for amateur teams like Unión de Santo Domingo in 2008, Sarmiento de Humboldt in 2009, and Colón de San Justo in 2011. In these teams, he stood out as a prolific scorer, netting dozens of goals in regional leagues.
His entry into professional football was late but impactful. At 23, in 2012, he signed with Villa San Carlos in Argentina’s third division. There, he found the perfect environment to grow, balancing early studies with intense training. Vegetti credits his development to coaches who encouraged him to refine his aerial game and finishing, skills that became his hallmark. Despite financial difficulties and the lack of structure in smaller clubs, he persevered, proving that talent and dedication can overcome barriers.
Club Career
Vegetti’s career is a journey through various clubs, marked by rises and challenges. He debuted professionally with Villa San Carlos (2012-2013), playing 40 games and scoring 24 goals in the Primera B Metropolitana. His performance helped the team earn promotion to the second division, and he was the competition’s top scorer.
In 2013, Vegetti ventured abroad for the first time, signing with Rangers de Talca in Chile. There, he played 19 matches and scored 3 goals, adapting to a more physical style of football. Returning to Argentina in 2014, he was loaned to Ferro Carril Oeste, where he played 21 games and scored 6 goals, sharing the locker room with future stars like Marcos Acuña.
His stint at Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata (2014-2017) was a milestone. In Argentina’s top flight, he played 50 games and scored 9 goals, including strikes against giants like Boca Juniors, San Lorenzo, and River Plate. He participated in the 2014 Copa Sudamericana, his first continental competition. Loaned to Colón (2015-2016), his boyhood club, he had a quieter spell, with 19 games and 2 goals.
In 2017-2018, at Boca Unidos in the second division, he regained his scoring touch with 9 goals in 22 matches. At Instituto (2018-2019), he exploded as a scorer, netting 15 goals in 23 games and winning the Primera B Nacional top scorer title.
His peak in Argentina came at Belgrano (2019-2023). In 123 games, Vegetti scored 63 goals, becoming the club’s second-highest scorer in official competitions, behind only Luis Fabián Artime. He was the top scorer in multiple seasons and led the team to promotion to the first division in 2022.
In August 2023, Vegetti joined Vasco da Gama in Brazil for $1.1 million, initially on loan with a purchase option, which was quickly exercised. His adaptation to Brazilian football was immediate, and he became a key figure for the Rio de Janeiro club.
Achievements and Individual Awards
Vegetti has amassed collective titles and individual accolades throughout his career. At Villa San Carlos, he was champion and top scorer of the Primera B Metropolitana in 2012-2013, securing promotion. With Gimnasia La Plata, he won the Copa Cidade Ensenada (2016) and Copa Banco Provincia (2017).
At Belgrano, he won the Primera B Nacional in 2022 with 17 goals and was the top scorer in 2019-2020 (17 goals), 2021 (16 goals), and 2022 (17 goals). In 2023, he was the Argentine Championship’s top scorer with 13 goals in 27 games.
At Vasco da Gama, although without collective titles until October 2025, Vegetti shone individually. He was the top scorer of the 2024 Copa do Brasil with 7 goals in 10 games, elected the best player of September in the 2023 Brasileirão, and was included in Sofascore’s foreign players and Copa do Brasil selections in 2023 and 2024. In 2025, he was joint top scorer of the Campeonato Carioca with 6 goals and received the title of Honorary Citizen of Rio de Janeiro in May.
He is the first player to be the top scorer in Argentina’s three main divisions and in two consecutive years (2022 and 2023). His awards highlight his consistency as a goal scorer.
Time at Vasco da Gama
Vegetti’s arrival at Vasco da Gama on August 4, 2023, marked a new phase in his career. He debuted two days later, scoring the winning goal in a 1-0 victory against Grêmio, becoming the first Argentine to win on his Brasileirão debut for the club. In 2023, he helped the team stay in Série A with 10 goals in 21 games, including a brace against Coritiba.
In 2024, he renewed his contract until the end of the year and took on the captain’s armband. He was the team’s top scorer with 23 goals in 54 games (12 in the Brasileirão, 7 in the Copa do Brasil, 4 in the Carioca). He stood out with braces against Botafogo and Fortaleza, aiding in penalty shootout qualifications in the Copa do Brasil until the semifinal elimination by Atlético-MG.
In 2025, after negotiations, he extended his contract until 2026. Up to October, he scored 24 goals in 51 games (12 in the Brasileirão, 1 in the Copa do Brasil, 5 in the Copa Sudamericana, 6 in the Carioca). He was crucial in the Carioca, with braces against Portuguesa and Volta Redonda, leading the team to the semifinals (eliminated by Flamengo). In the Copa Sudamericana, he scored 5 goals in 8 games.
Vegetti is known for his leadership and positive attitude, even in tough moments, such as when he was a substitute in a victory against Fortaleza in October 2025, the day after his birthday. He celebrated the team’s win, prioritizing the collective.
Performance Statistics
Vegetti’s statistics are impressive for their consistency. Up to October 5, 2025, he has played 443 games and scored 188 goals in his career. At Vasco, in 126 matches, he has scored 57 goals, making him the second-highest foreign scorer in the club’s history, the top foreign scorer in the Brasileirão, and the third-highest scorer for Vasco in the 21st century.
In 2025, he led the Série A goal-scoring chart with 22 goals in 40 games until August, with 106 shots and dominance in the aerial game. His goals often decide matches, with an emphasis on headers and first-time finishes. In total for Vasco: 71 league games with 31 goals, 19 state championship games with 10, 15 national cup games with 8, and 8 continental games with 5.
His goal-per-game average is high, especially in Brazilian competitions, where he quickly adapted to the more dynamic style. Vegetti also contributes with assists and hold-up play, troubling opposing defenses.
Recent Updates
In October 2025, Vegetti remains a central figure at Vasco da Gama. Despite an eight-game goal drought late in the season, he maintained his leadership stance, celebrating victories even as a substitute. In May, he scored twice in a 3-0 win over Fortaleza, breaking a negative streak for the team.
With 22 goals in the Série A until August, he is the championship’s top scorer, with 24 direct goal involvements. Interest from Argentine clubs emerged for 2026, but Vasco declined, valuing his impact. In September 2025, he was selected for the Brasileirão’s foreign players’ team by Sofascore.
Off the field, Vegetti received honors, such as the title of Honorary Citizen of Rio. His “Pirata” celebration continues to captivate fans, and he plans to retire at Vasco or return to Argentina. At 37, Vegetti proves that age does not limit talent, inspiring young players with his dedication.
Pablo Vegetti embodies the essence of football: perseverance, goals, and passion. His journey from Santo Domingo to Brazilian pitches is a testament that dreams can come true with effort. With a contract until 2026, the future holds more glorious chapters for this relentless scorer.
