Who is Cardoso Varela – The teenage sensation Barcelona are close to signing

Barcelona’s interest in young football talents has been well-documented, and one of the latest names to emerge on their radar is Cardoso Varela. 

The 16-year-old Portuguese prodigy has been making waves in European football, earning attention for his impressive performances. 

His rise began last season, at just 15 years old, while playing for FC Porto. However, his career trajectory has taken an intriguing turn since then.

Currently, Varela finds himself in a complex situation. Reports reveal that the youngster, along with his agents, travelled to Croatia in pursuit of signing with NK Dinamo Odranski Obrez, a club in Croatia’s fourth division. 

This move was intended to serve as a transitional step, or a ‘bridge’ before he could officially sign his first professional contract upon turning 16 this October.

However, FC Porto, the club where Varela developed as part of their U-15 and U-17 squads, took action to prevent this move. 

They lodged a formal complaint with FIFA and the Croatian Football Federation, which resulted in FIFA blocking the transfer to NK Dinamo Odranski. For now, this leaves Varela’s future uncertain as he prepares to decide on the next step in his career.

Who is Cardoso Verala?

Varela is a left winger with the ability to play effectively with both feet, although he prefers using his right for passing and shooting. This makes him a unique profile, especially for Barcelona. 

The club’s most prominent wingers, such as Lamine Yamal and Raphinha, are left-footed players who often operate on the right side of the attack. Adding Varela to the mix would provide much-needed versatility in Barcelona’s youth ranks.

As things stand, Varela is now free to sign with any European team now that he 16. While Barcelona have expressed interest, signing him could be a challenge due to strong competition from other clubs, especially in the Bundesliga. 

Many German teams are reportedly eager to secure his services, making the Bundesliga a likely destination for the young talent.

Nonetheless, Barcelona remain persistent. The club will keep a close eye on the situation during the winter transfer window, knowing that Varela could be an exceptional addition to their youth setup. 

His skill set and potential to break through into the senior team make him an exciting prospect for the future.