Arturo Vidal could celebrate another league title with Colo Colo this Sunday, his second since rejoining the club in 2024. Off the pitch, however, the captain is reportedly dealing with serious financial problems, according to an investigation by Reportajes Teletrece, which says he faces up to eight lawsuits over unpaid debts totalling more than 950 million Chilean pesos.
The creditors include banks, car dealers, a property company, a production company and a printing firm. One of the claims is particularly close to home for the midfielder, as it comes from a longtime associate.
A lawyer turned plaintiff
José Pablo Forteza, a lawyer who was part of Vidal’s inner circle, is said to have sued the former Juventus and Barcelona player for 30 million pesos in unpaid fees. Forteza had defended Vidal in a sexual offences case, the same lawyer who handled the legal aftermath of the 2015 Copa America crash involving the midfielder’s Ferrari.
The case dates back to 2024, when a woman accused Vidal of sexual abuse at a venue in Vitacura. Forteza was brought in through Vibra Futbol, the agency that represents the player, to lead his defence. The case was dismissed in May 2025. Forteza says the fee, which was to be paid in instalments, never arrived, and he therefore filed a complaint against his former client.
Among the witnesses the lawyer presented to the court was Daniel Behar, a representative of Vibra Futbol. The agency, which also represents Vidal, is owned by Fernando Felicevich, who for years was the midfielder’s right-hand man.
A wider financial picture
The Forteza claim is only one of several. According to the report, Vidal owes money to multiple banks, including a debt of around 90 million pesos. There is also a claim linked to the purchase of a high-end car, valued at 85 million pesos, and further lawsuits that together point to a difficult financial situation.
The timing is awkward for the club as well. The reported debts emerge just as Vidal’s contract renewal with Colo Colo appears to be stalled more than ever.
Source: www.adnradio.cl
