Article by Romeo Ene – published on Thursday, July 31, 2025, 17:52 / Updated Thursday, July 31, 2025 17:56
Fernando Varela (37 years old) has retired from football! The former defender from Fcsb He made this announcement, through social networks. The defender in the Cape Verde Islands evolved for FCSB in 2013-2016, becoming the first foreign captain in the history of the red-blue club.
Varela won two titles in the red-blue shirt, a trophy of the Romanian Cup and two cups of the League. Played last time for Alvercaband that finished in 2nd place in the second step in Portugal, and obtained promotion.
At 37, he decided to conclude his career and announced his decision by a post accompanied by a video.
VIDEO. Fernando Varela, the former FCSB player, has retired from football: “The flame remains alive in my heart”
“Thank you, football! With a mixture of gratitude and nostalgia, today I say goodbye to this place that offered me so much: the playing field. For years, it was my second house, the place where the dreams caught contour, where the joys were shared and the defeats were learning the most valuable lessons.
Each corner of this land keeps a memory: the smell of grass, the sound of the ball that rolls, the cry of the gallery, the hugs by a void, the frustration of a mistake and the indestructible connection with my teammates.
Here I sweated, I fought, smiled and cried. More than a sport, football was a passion that formed me, challenged me and helped me grow as a man.
I want to thank all those who have been part of this incredible journey: for teammates, for every pass, every intervention and every moment shared on and outside the field; The coaches, who guided me, believed in me and helped me overcome my limits; Club management, for support and trust; And, of course, the supporters, who by their unconditional passion were always the 12th player, inspiring us to give everything.
Today the boots in the nail, but the football flame stays alive in my heart. It is not a farewell, but a “soon”. Memories will remain forever, and the connection with this sport that I love so much will last”, Wrote Fernando Varela, on the Instagram account.
Fernando Varela, one of the most successful transfers made by Gigi Becali at FCSB
Fernando Varela, the former FCSB player, has retired from football: “The flame remains alive in my heart”
Varela came to Romania in 2012, when she signed with FC Vaslui. After a season in which he drew attention through evolutions, he transferred to FCSB, a team for which he evolved between 2013 and 2016. Along with FCSB he won two champion titles, a Romanian Cup and two League cups.
He left FCSB in 2016, reaching PAOK, where he was captain. He played for 6 years in Greece, won a title and four Cups of Greece.
He returned to Portugal in 2022, after signing with Casa Pia. In the last season that footballer promoted in the first step in Portugal, along with Alverca.
