Cardoso Varela
Full name: Cardoso Pinto Mandume Varela
Country: Portugal
Date of birth: 29/10/2008 (15 years old)
Place of birth: Portugal
Height: —
Youth career: FC Porto
Current club: FC Porto
Squad number: —
Current national team: Portugal U-17
Position: winger, second striker
Preferred foot: right
Market value (by transfermarkt.de): —
Tournaments participated in: UEFA Youth League 2023/2024 (3/0), 2024 UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualification elite round (2/0), 2024 UEFA European Under-17 Championship (6/1)
Contract until: 30.06.2024
Player’s agent: unknown
Transfer rumours: —
Similar type of player: Jérémy Doku/Vinícius Júnior
Strengths:
– pace 
– acceleration
– dribbling
– technique
– ball control
– bravery
– agility
– athleticism 
– off-the-ball movement
– crossing
To improve:
– finishing and general composure in the final third
– able to dispossess opponents thanks to his explosiveness, but his positioning and general defensive contribution are very much improvable
Style of play:
– explosive winger/inside forward
– player with a low centre of gravity, excellent agility, body balance, changes of pace, and coordination
– incredibly explosive over the first meters
– loves to dribble and always tries to find a vertical option in his game
– likes to cut inside and enter the penalty area whenever possible
– likes to play a direct style by running straight at defenders with pace
– above-average close control, footwork, and dribbling skills in small spaces
– spectacular player, who’s able to make a difference with his dribbling skills at any time
– player with a ‘quick feet’ who’s able to get past players with extreme ease
– likes to try powerful and dangerous flat crosses and cutbacks
– counter-attacking weapon thanks to his pace and acceleration
– skillful and confident when dribbling at top speed
– good ability at first touch/high speed in 1-2 combinations style of play
– extremely difficult to knock off the ball thanks to his low centre of gravity and excellent close control
– competent indirect set-piece taker with decent crossing skills
– able to cross and shoot with his weaker left foot quite comfortably
Varela beats his man with his explosive speed and provides a dangerous pass.
Varela beats his man, cuts inside, and sends a dangerous shot on goal.
Varela beats his opponent with extreme ease and provides an assist with a superb cutback.
Heatmap by Wyscout:
He is best suited to playing as:
Left winger in 4-3-3.
Video:
Achievements:
2024 UEFA European Under-17 Championship runner-up with Portugal.
League summary (as for 4 June 2024):
No senior team appearances yet.
Description:
Cardoso Varela is considered to be one of the most talented U17s in Europe. He is a product of the superb FC Porto youth academy. He is a member of an extremely interesting generation of Porto players which includes, among others Anhá Cande, Rodrigo Mora, Jorge Meireles, Gonçalo Ribeiro, Gonçalo Sousa, Martim Fernandes, Ussumane Djaló, Luís Gomes, João Teixeira, Gil Martins, and André Oliveira. He is also a regular youth international for Portugal and currently he’s the youngest member of the U-17 setup. In 2024, he was one of Portugal’s leaders at the 2024 UEFA European Under-17 Championship, where young Seleção won the silver medal.
Quotes:
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Football Talent Scout potential rating:
Player has the potential to become a key player in a top European club.
Links: