In comparison to Vinicius Jr
Young talent Cardoso Varela is drawing interest from top European clubs due to his involvement in a contentious dispute that has caught the attention of FIFA. The 16-year-old winger is recognized as a promising prospect for the senior Portugal national team, but his ownership has sparked heated debates in recent years. Having risen through the ranks at Porto’s esteemed youth academy, Varela’s attempt to join NK Dinamo Odranski Obrez, an amateur club in Croatia, followed a breakdown in negotiations over a professional contract.
The Controversy Surrounding Cardoso Varela
Porto’s management expressed outrage over Varela’s move, accusing his agents and legal representatives of unethical actions intended to facilitate a lucrative transfer to a prominent European club. Barcelona is reportedly the club interested in Varela, with sporting director Deco recently observed scouting him after his transfer to Dinamo Zagreb. Porto president André Villas-Boas is fuming over Barcelona’s alleged actions and has threatened further legal action, especially after FIFA dismissed an initial complaint, though an appeal is anticipated, and UEFA may become involved.
This ownership dispute has garnered significant media attention in Portugal due to Varela’s exceptional talent. In an interview with Sport last November, Villas-Boas criticized the scheme, claiming: “For a value below his real worth, in which the majority won’t even reach him, these agents aimed to transfer him to an amateur club in Croatia under a loophole regarding minor protection, exclusive to that country.”
According to Goncalo Tristao Santos, Area Manager at Transfermarkt in Portugal, the situation escalated due to Varela’s standout performances, including for the Under-17 national team. Santos noted that there were attempts from Porto to renew Varela’s training contract, but negotiations fell through, and allegations surfaced suggesting that his family’s financial vulnerability was exploited. After departing from Porto, Varela was either registered or sought to be registered with a Croatian side.
Updating on the legal complexities, Santos mentioned: “FC Porto claims this transfer was orchestrated by agents aiming to position him for a larger club abroad, using the Croatian club as a stepping stone, prompting FIFA to intervene. Porto’s complaint led to Varela’s registration being blocked at the Croatian club. Meanwhile, Barcelona has been linked with him, with Porto sending letters of objection to both Barcelona and the Spanish Football Federation, expressing concerns regarding the legality and potential exploitation of the situation.”
The Latest on Cardoso Varela’s Transfer
There’s little doubt Varela won’t remain with Zagreb for the long haul. The young talent made his debut for the Croatian team in the Europa League this season, coming off the bench for the last minutes against Fenerbahce in September, making him the youngest player to participate in this season’s competition. His early involvement in first-team football speaks volumes about his potential.
According to reliable reports from Spain, Barcelona is leading the race to secure the Portuguese wonderkid and remains undeterred by Porto’s objections. They are believed to be confident about signing Varela—drawing comparisons to Vinicius Jr—for an initial fee of €5 million, with possible bonuses totaling €20 million. Chelsea has also shown interest in Varela, known for their strategy of acquiring top young talents, but Barcelona currently seems to be in the pole position.
