Bruno Varela

Bruno Varela
Varela with Benfica in 2017
Personal information
Full name Bruno Miguel Semedo Varela[1]
Date of birth (1994-11-04) 4 November 1994[1]
Place of birthLisbon, Portugal[1]
Height 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)[1]
PositionGoalkeeper
Team information
Current team
Al-Hazem
Number 14
Youth career
2002–2006 Ponte Frielas
2006–2013Benfica
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2012–2016Benfica B 85 (0)
2015–2016 → Valladolid (loan) 1 (0)
2016–2017Vitória Setúbal 29 (0)
2017–2020Benfica 29 (0)
2019–2020 → Ajax (loan) 1 (0)
2019–2020 → Jong Ajax (loan) 2 (0)
2020–2025Vitória Guimarães 144 (0)
2025–Al-Hazem 4 (0)
International career‡
2009–2010Portugal U16 3 (0)
2010–2011Portugal U17 7 (0)
2011–2012Portugal U18 6 (0)
2012–2013Portugal U19 11 (0)
2012–2013Portugal U20 11 (0)
2014–2017Portugal U21 11 (0)
2016Portugal U23 4 (0)
2023–Cape Verde 7 (0)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  Portugal
UEFA European Under-21 Championship
Runner-up2015 Czech Republic
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 14:50, 16 October 2025 (UTC)‡ National team caps and goals as of 00:09, 4 January 2025 (UTC)

Bruno Miguel Semedo Varela (born 4 November 1994) is a professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Saudi Pro League club Al-Hazem and the Cape Verde national team.

He represented Benfica, Vitória de Setúbal and Vitória de Guimarães in the Primeira Liga. Abroad, he played with Valladolid in Spain and Ajax in the Netherlands.

Across all age groups, Varela earned 53 international caps for Portugal, and was part of their under-23 team at the 2016 Olympics. In October 2023, he switched allegiance to Cape Verde.

Club career

Benfica

Born in Lisbon and of Cape Verdean descent,[2] Varela joined local club S.L. Benfica's youth system at the age of 11. On 22 September 2012, whilst still a junior, he made his professional debut, appearing for the reserves in a 2–0 away win against C.D. Aves in the Segunda Liga.[3]

From 2013 to 2015, with the team still in the second division, Varela was the undisputed starter. His competitive input with the main squad consisted of nine bench appearances, the first of which occurred on 29 August 2011 in a Primeira Liga match at C.D. Nacional when he was just 16 years old.[4]

On 29 August 2015, Varela was loaned to Real Valladolid in a season-long move.[5] Barred by Athletic Bilbao youth product Kepa Arrizabalaga,[6] he appeared in only one official game for the Spaniards during his spell, the 1–3 Segunda División home loss to RCD Mallorca in the last matchday.[7]

Vitória Setúbal

On 2 July 2016, Varela left Benfica and signed with fellow top-flight side Vitória F.C. until June 2021.[8] He made his debut in the competition on 21 August on his return to the Estádio da Luz, a 1–1 draw against the reigning champions.[9]

Return to Benfica

In July 2017, Varela agreed on a return to Benfica for a fee of around €100,000.[10][11] He made his competitive debut on 5 August, starting in the 3–1 victory over Vitória S.C. in the Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira.[12][13] His first appearance in the UEFA Champions League took place on 12 September, in a 1–2 group stage home loss to PFC CSKA Moscow.[14]

On 16 September 2017, Varela committed a blunder which resulted in a 2–1 away defeat against Boavista FC.[15] He was quickly deemed surplus to requirements by manager Rui Vitória, with the club acquiring Mile Svilar and Odisseas Vlachodimos in the following weeks;[16] however, after the former went down with influenza and the latter was only due to arrive in January, he was made the starter again,[17] notably receiving Player of the match accolades in a 0–0 away draw with FC Porto.[18]

On 26 January 2019, without a single competitive appearance, Varela was loaned to Dutch Eredivisie club AFC Ajax until the end of the season, with the option to buy.[19][20] On 24 June, the move was extended for another year.[21]

Mainly a reserve player during his tenure in Amsterdam,[22] Varela made his competitive debut for Ajax on 22 January 2020 in the 7–0 home demolition of SV Spakenburg in the round of 16 of the KNVB Cup.[23] His first league match occurred four days later, in a 2–1 away loss against FC Groningen.[24]

Vitória Guimarães

On 19 August 2020, Varela returned to Portugal and joined Vitória S.C. on a four-year deal.[25][26] He missed the start of his second season due to a right thigh tear, during which Matouš Trmal had a run in the team.[27] In May 2023, he signed a new contract until 2026.[28]

Varela totalled 174 games during his tenure. This included 14 in the 2024–25 UEFA Conference League, where his side was ousted in the round of 16 by Spain's Real Betis.[29][30]

Al-Hazem

On 26 August 2025, Varela signed for Saudi Pro League club Al-Hazem F.C. on a two-year contract.[31]

International career

Portugal

Varela represented Portugal at the 2013 UEFA European Under-19 Championship[32] and at the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup, being a backup to José Sá in the latter tournament. He was also part of the under-20 squad at the 2014 Toulon Tournament,[33] starting in an eventual third-place finish.

Varela again played understudy to Sá during the 2015 European Under-21 Championship, failing to appear for the runners-up.[34] He was first choice during the 2016 Summer Olympics competition, in an eventual quarter-final run.[35][36][37]

On 21 March 2017, Varela received his first call-up to the Portugal senior side, replacing the injured Anthony Lopes for the 2018 FIFA World Cupqualifier against Hungary and a friendly with Sweden to be held later that month.[38] In October 2020, he replaced the same player after he tested had positive for COVID-19.[39]

Cape Verde

On 4 October 2023, Varela received a call-up to the Cape Verde national team for friendlies against Algeria and Comoros.[40][41] He won his first cap eight days later, in a 5–1 away loss to the former;[42] he rejected to be selected for the delayed 2023 Africa Cup of Nations finals, however, on the grounds that he had not taken part in the qualification campaign.[43]

Career statistics

As of match played 18 May 2024[44][45]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season Domestic League National cup League cup Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Benfica B2012–13Segunda Liga120————120
2013–14Segunda Liga 380————380
2014–15Segunda Liga 350————350
Total 850————850
Valladolid (loan) 2015–16Segunda División100 0———10
Vitória Setúbal2016–17Primeira Liga2900010——300
Benfica2017–18Primeira Liga 29020102[a]01[b]0350
2018–19Primeira Liga 00000000—00
Total 29020102010350
Ajax (loan) 2018–19Eredivisie00000000—00
2019–20Eredivisie 1010—1[c]00030
Total 101000100030
Jong Ajax (loan) 2019–20Eerste Divisie2 0 — — — — 2 0
Vitória Guimarães2020–21Primeira Liga 31 0 2 0 0 0 — — 33 0
2021–22Primeira Liga 25 0 2 0 2 0 — — 29 0
2022–23Primeira Liga 27 0 0 0 1 0 4[d]0 — 32 0
2023–24Primeira Liga 27 0 1 0 1 0 2[d]0 — 31 0
Total 110 0 5 0 4 0 6 0 — 125 0
Career total 2570806090102810
  1. ^Appearances in UEFA Champions League
  2. ^Appearance in Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira
  3. ^Appearance in UEFA Europa League
  4. ^ abAppearances in UEFA Europa Conference League

Honours

Benfica

Ajax

International

References

  1. ^ abcd"Bruno Varela" (in Portuguese). Mais Futebol. Archived from the original on 16 September 2018. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
  2. ^Pires, Sérgio (13 October 2015). "Nélson Semedo: e Portugal lá pescou mais um "tubarão"..." [Nélson Semedo: and Portugal fished yet another "shark"...] (in Portuguese). Mais Futebol. Archived from the original on 15 September 2018. Retrieved 27 December 2016.
  3. ^"Aves-Benfica B, 0–2: Águias triunfam" [Aves-Benfica B, 0–2: Eagles triumph]. Record (in Portuguese). 22 September 2012. Archived from the original on 10 September 2016. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
  4. ^Antunes, Luís (28 August 2011). "Garay e Eduardo de fora, Rodrigo e Bruno Varela integrados nas opções do Benfica para a Choupana" [Garay and Eduardo out, Rodrigo and Bruno Varela added to Benfica's options for the Choupana]. Jornal de Notícias (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on 2 March 2017. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
  5. ^"Bruno Varela llega al Valladolid cedido por el Benfica" [Bruno Varela arrives at Valladolid loaned by Benfica]. Marca (in Spanish). 29 August 2015. Archived from the original on 11 August 2016. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
  6. ^Posada, Arturo (7 April 2016). "Kepa y Bruno, formadores por un día" [Kepa and Bruno, trainers for a day]. El Norte de Castilla (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 9 April 2016. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
  7. ^"El Mallorca remonta en Zorrilla y logra la salvación" [Mallorca come back from behind in Zorrilla and survive]. Marca (in Spanish). 4 June 2016. Archived from the original on 27 July 2016. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
  8. ^Lopes, Carlos (2 July 2016). "Bruno Varela e Nuno Santos confirmados no V. Setúbal" [Bruno Varela and Nuno Santos confirmed at V. Setúbal]. O Jogo (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on 17 August 2016. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
  9. ^"Varela feliz sem vinganças" [Varela happy without vengeance]. O Jogo (in Portuguese). 22 August 2016. Archived from the original on 2 March 2017. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
  10. ^"Bruno Varela de regresso" [Bruno Varela is back] (in Portuguese). S.L. Benfica. 2 July 2017. Archived from the original on 4 September 2017. Retrieved 3 July 2017.
  11. ^"Oficial: Bruno Varela regressa ao Benfica" [Official: Bruno Varela returns to Benfica]. Record (in Portuguese). 2 July 2017. Archived from the original on 29 October 2021. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
  12. ^"Benfica vence V. Guimarães (3–1) e faz a festa em Aveiro" [Benfica defeat V. Guimarães (3–1) and get the party started in Aveiro]. A Bola (in Portuguese). 5 August 2017. Archived from the original on 6 August 2017. Retrieved 6 August 2017.
  13. ^Castro, Ricardo Jorge (5 August 2017). "Rui Vitória: "Bruno Varela fez um bom primeiro jogo"" [Rui Vitória: "Bruno Varela had a good first game"] (in Portuguese). Mais Futebol. Archived from the original on 7 August 2017. Retrieved 6 August 2017.
  14. ^"Benfica estreia-se na fase de grupos com derrota caseira" [Home loss for Benfica in group stage debut] (in Portuguese). UEFA. 12 September 2017. Archived from the original on 13 September 2017. Retrieved 13 September 2017.
  15. ^"Benfica derrotado no Bessa" [Benfica defeated at the Bessa] (in Portuguese). TSF. 16 September 2017. Archived from the original on 25 October 2017. Retrieved 24 October 2017.
  16. ^Pedro, Alexandra (10 October 2017). "Vlachodimos está em Lisboa para assinar pelo Benfica" [Vlachodimos is already in Lisbon to sign for Benfica] (in Portuguese). Sábado. Archived from the original on 24 October 2017. Retrieved 24 October 2017.
  17. ^"Está de volta. Varela aproveita gripe de Svilar e joga na Taça" [He's back. Varela profits from Svilar flu and plays in Cup] (in Portuguese). Rádio Renascença. 17 November 2017. Archived from the original on 4 December 2017. Retrieved 4 December 2017.
  18. ^Albino Gomes, Tomás (2 December 2017). "Clássico a zeros: Varela no céu, Marega no inferno" [All-zero classic: Varela in heaven, Marega in hell] (in Portuguese). SAPO. Archived from the original on 3 December 2017. Retrieved 4 December 2017.
  19. ^Sanches, João (26 January 2019). "Bruno Varela emprestado ao Ajax" [Bruno Varela loaned to Ajax] (in Portuguese). S.L. Benfica. Archived from the original on 27 January 2019. Retrieved 27 January 2019.
  20. ^"Ajax huurt doelman Varela van Benfica" [Ajax get goalkeeper Varela on loan from Benfica] (in Dutch). AFC Ajax. 26 January 2019. Archived from the original on 27 January 2019. Retrieved 27 January 2019.
  21. ^"Ajax huurt Bruno Varela nog een jaar" [Ajax get Bruno Varela loan for another year] (in Dutch). VTBL. 24 June 2019. Archived from the original on 24 June 2019. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
  22. ^Doodeman, Michel (16 May 2019). "Een ode aan Bruno Varela, de stille ster van dit Ajax" [An ode to Bruno Varela, the silent star of this Ajax] (in Dutch). Vice. Archived from the original on 19 July 2020. Retrieved 19 July 2020.
  23. ^"Match report: De Jong, Traoré & Ünüvar light up the ArenA in massive cup win". All About Ajax. 23 January 2020. Archived from the original on 30 October 2020. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
  24. ^Jansen, Freek (26 January 2020). "Ajax struikelt: FC Groningen knokt zich naar terechte zege" [Ajax stumble: FC Groningen fight for deserved win]. Algemeen Dagblad (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 26 January 2020. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
  25. ^"Bruno Varela chegou a Guimarães" [Bruno Varela arrived in Guimarães]. A Bola (in Portuguese). 19 August 2020. Archived from the original on 20 August 2020. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  26. ^Rosa, Melo (19 August 2021). "Bruno Varela explica opção pelo Vitória: "Estamos a falar de um clube grande"" [Bruno Varela explains opting for Vitória: "We're talking about a big club"]. O Jogo (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on 20 October 2021. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
  27. ^Rocha, Pedro (6 October 2021). "Equipa do V. Guimarães já beneficiou com regresso de Bruno Varela à baliza" [V. Guimarães team already benefitted from return of Bruno Varela to the goal]. O Jogo (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on 10 October 2021. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
  28. ^"Bruno Varela renova contrato com o V. Guimarães até 2026" [Bruno Varela renews contract with V. Guimarães until 2026]. Record (in Portuguese). 12 May 2023. Archived from the original on 14 January 2024. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  29. ^"Vitória de Guimarães goleado pelo Betis no adeus à Liga Conferência" [Vitória de Guimarães thrashed by Betis in Conference League goodbye] (in Portuguese). Rádio e Televisão de Portugal. 13 March 2025. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
  30. ^"Vitória de Guimarães oficializa saída de Bruno Varela para sauditas do Al-Hazem" [Vitória de Guimarães confirm departure of Bruno Varela to Saudi Al-Hazem] (in Portuguese). Rádio e Televisão de Portugal. 26 August 2025. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
  31. ^Al-Jadi, Ahmed (26 August 2025). "رسمياً… حارس الرأس الأخضر برونو فاريلا يحمي شباك الحزم" [Cape Verdean goalkeeper Bruno Varela will officially protect Al-Hazem's goal]. Asharq Al-Awsat (in Arabic). Retrieved 27 August 2025.
  32. ^"Sub-19: Rui Silva substitui José Costa" [Under-19: Rui Silva replaces José Costa]. Record (in Portuguese). 14 July 2013. Archived from the original on 4 October 2015. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
  33. ^"Sub-20: Ilídio Vale convoca 20 para o Torneio de Toulon" [Under-20: Ilídio Vale calls 20 to Toulon Tournament]. Record (in Portuguese). 13 May 2014. Archived from the original on 11 September 2016. Retrieved 24 May 2014.
  34. ^Kell, Tom (30 June 2015). "Spot-on Sweden beat Portugal to win U21 EURO". UEFA. Archived from the original on 2 July 2015. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
  35. ^"Vitória na estreia" [Win in debut] (in Portuguese). Portuguese Football Federation. 4 August 2016. Archived from the original on 24 November 2020. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
  36. ^"Portugal vence e garante quartos de final" [Portugal win and confirm quarter-finals] (in Portuguese). Portuguese Football Federation. 7 August 2016. Archived from the original on 24 November 2020. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
  37. ^"Portugal assegura primeiro lugar" [Portugal confirm first place] (in Portuguese). Portuguese Football Federation. 10 August 2016. Archived from the original on 24 November 2020. Retrieved 11 August 2016.
  38. ^"Bruno Varela chamado para o lugar de Anthony Lopes" [Bruno Varela called in place of Anthony Lopes]. Record (in Portuguese). 21 March 2017. Archived from the original on 26 March 2017. Retrieved 26 March 2017.
  39. ^"Bruno Varela chamado" [Bruno Varela called] (in Portuguese). Portuguese Football Federation. 9 October 2020. Archived from the original on 10 October 2020. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
  40. ^"Seleção masculina defronta Argelia e Comores em compromisso amigável" [Men's national team face Algeria and Comoros in friendlies] (in Portuguese). Cape Verdean Football Federation. 4 October 2023. Archived from the original on 9 October 2023. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  41. ^"Bruno Varela convocado pela primeira vez para seleção de Cabo Verde" [Bruno Varela called-up for the first time to Cape Verde national team]. O Jogo (in Portuguese). 4 October 2023. Archived from the original on 13 October 2023. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  42. ^"Futebol: Cabo Verde goleado pela Argélia no dia em que conhece adversários do CAN'2023" [Football: Cape Verde thrashed by Algeria on the day they know about opponents for AFCON'2023] (in Portuguese). Inforpress. 12 October 2023. Archived from the original on 14 October 2023. Retrieved 12 October 2023.
  43. ^"Bruno Varela justifica ausência da CAN: "Decisão tomada por uma questão ética e moral"" [Bruno Varela justifies CAN absence: "Decision made on ethic and moral grounds"]. Record (in Portuguese). 28 December 2023. Archived from the original on 3 January 2024. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  44. ^Bruno Varela at ForaDeJogo (archived)
  45. ^ abcdBruno Varela at Soccerway
  46. ^"Ajax Amsterdam 2–0 PSV Eindhoven". ESPN. 27 July 2019. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
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