Fernando Varela (Spanish footballer)

Fernando Varela Ramos (born 1 September 1979) is a Spanish retired footballer. Mainly a right midfielder, he could also operate as an attacking right-back, being noted for his long-range strikes.

For the Cape Verde player, see Fernando Varela (Cape Verdean footballer).
In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Varela and the second or maternal family name is Ramos.

Fernando Varela
Personal information
Full name Fernando Varela Ramos
Date of birth (1979-09-01) 1 September 1979
Place of birth Dos Hermanas, Spain
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Youth career
Betis
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1996–2000 Betis B 99 (13)
1997–2006 Betis 158 (3)
2000 → Extremadura (loan) 23 (3)
2006–2010 Mallorca 114 (10)
2010–2011 Kasımpaşa 21 (4)
2011–2012 Valladolid 0 (0)
Total 415 (33)
International career
1994–1996 Spain U16 15 (3)
1995–1997 Spain U17 7 (0)
1996–1998 Spain U18 4 (0)
1998–1999 Spain U20 10 (3)
1999–2001 Spain U21 10 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

He amassed La Liga totals of 257 matches and 13 goals over 11 seasons, in representation of Betis and Mallorca. He won one Copa del Rey with the former club.

Club career

Betis

Born in Dos Hermanas, Province of Seville, Varela was a youth player at local Real Betis, and made his first-team – and La Liga – debut in 1996–97's closing stages, in a 1–1 away draw against Valencia CF. In the 2001–02 season, after a six-month stint with Segunda División club CF Extremadura, he established himself definitely with the main squad, appearing in 25 league games.

Over six full campaigns with Betis, Varela only scored three goals, but they were noted as some of the best in the Andalusians' history, including once against FC Barcelona where, from his own half, he dribbled past five opponents struck the ball into the top corner with his left foot (2002–03),[1] and a fantastic left-footed volley against city rivals Sevilla FC in 2005–06.[2]

Mallorca

Varela moved to RCD Mallorca for 2006–07. He had a slow start, which culminated in two red cards in the first 11 matches.[3][4] Towards the end of the season he was fully reinstated as right midfielder, being more involved in the team's offence and netting three times, including one against Real Madrid on the final matchday as the hosts eventually won 3–1 and conquered the league title.[5]

The following campaign, incidentally against Real Madrid, Varela scored twice, but Mallorca lost again in Spain's capital (4–3), on 11 November 2007.[6] In 2009–10, as the Balearic Islands club finished fifth and qualified for the UEFA Europa League, he lost his importance in the team and only made 15 league appearances whilst completing just three, due to both injuries and the emergence of Uruguayan Chory Castro.[7][8]

Later years

In July 2010, at nearly 31, Varela left his country for the first time, joining Turkish side Kasımpaşa SK.[9]

Honours

Betis

Spain U20

References
  1. El Betis baila al Barcelona (Betis play with Barcelona); El País, 29 September 2002 (in Spanish)
  2. Real Betis 2–1 FC Sevilla; ESPN Soccernet, 2 April 2006
  3. Ewerthon y Sergio García disparan al nuevo Zaragoza (Ewerthon and Sergio García thrust new Zaragoza); Diario AS, 18 September 2006 (in Spanish)
  4. Gudjohnsen double lifts Barça (1–4); FC Barcelona, 19 November 2006
  5. El Real Madrid gana su 30º título de Liga (Real Madrid win 30th league title); Cadena SER, 17 June 2007 (in Spanish)
  6. El líder sale a hombros del manicomio (Leaders exit bedlam triumphantly); Marca, 11 November 2007 (in Spanish)
  7. ¿Qué pasa con Varela? (What's the matter with Varela?); Última Hora, 13 January 2010 (in Spanish)
  8. 3–2: El Mallorca mantiene el pulso de la Champions (3–2: Mallorca still in Champions League pace); Diario de Mallorca, 12 April 2010 (in Spanish)
  9. Varela causa baja en el Mallorca y ficha por el Kasimpasa turco (Varela leaves Mallorca and signs for Kasimpasa in Turkey); Mundo Deportivo, 13 July 2010 (in Spanish)
  10. Dani delivers for Betis; UEFA, 11 June 2005
  11. "Qué fue de los campeones del mundo sub20" [What happened to the under-20 world champions] (in Spanish). Marca. 17 April 2009. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
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