Player Profile: Silvestre Varela
 Full name: Silvestre Manuel Goncalves Varela
Position: Forward
Date of Birth: 2 February 1985
Birthplace: Almada, Portugal
Silvestre Varela is another brilliant creation from Sporting’s youth academy. This talented young forward has seen his career expand from local Portuguese clubs to across the border into the Spanish league. His debut season for FC Porto has seen him make such an impact that he has pushed himself right into contention for the South Africa World Cup 2010.
Varela’s professional career started on loan from Sporting to various clubs around Portugal such as Casa Pia and Vitoria Setubal. After little opportunity to shine in the Portuguese league, he was loaned to Recreativo de Huelva in Spain, alongside compatriots Carlos Martins and Beto in 2007.
----------
Curiosity
Silvestre Varela was nicknamed early in his career as “the Drogba of Caparica”, alluding to the physical similarities with the Ivory Coast superstar and the fact that, particularly early in his career, he played in a similar position to the Chelsea man. Varela’s birth place is Almada, on the other side of the River Tagus to Lisbon, a stone’s throw from the popular 15 km-stretch of sandy beachfront, the Costa da Caparica.
----------
After a year in Spain, he returned to Portugal in July 2008, and was sold to Estrela de Amadora where he would give a solid performance throughout the season. His displays caught the eyes of top clubs, and on a free transfer in the summer of 2009, he signed a 4-year contract with FC Porto. Presently, his 2009/2010 season with the Dragoes has seen his standing rise to one of the most threatening wingers in the Liga Sagres. He has contributed greatly to the Porto attack while receiving international praise for his performances.
Speed and skill
As a player, his skills vary greatly. With incredible pace off the dribble and great ball control, Varela can play on both wings and also as a striker if necessary. He is physically strong, and perhaps his finest attribute is his crossing ability on either wing. One of his signature moves is to cut from the wing to the inside of the pitch to receive through passes as he attempts to score with the left foot.
His international team debut for the seleccao is yet to take place, but he has a long track record with Portugal’s under-21 team, making notable contributions in several tournaments. Varela is highly likely to be an option off the bench for Carlos Queiroz in the 2010 World Cup, but the hotly contested left-wing position will be a target for Silvestre Varela to acquire in future tournaments.
by Ricardo Costa (01/03/2010)
| Club |
Appearances* |
Goals |
| Casa Pia (loan) |
31 |
18 |
| Sporting |
2 |
1 |
| Vitoria Setubal |
45 |
4 |
| Recreativo de Huelva |
22 |
10 |
| Estrela da Amadora |
29 |
7 |
| FC Porto** |
23 |
10 |
| |
|
|
| PORTUGAL |
0 |
0 |
* League appearances only
** Up to February 2010
|
Força Portugal