Nilton Varela


Nilton Varela Lopes is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a defender for Belenenses SAD in the Primeira Liga.

Football career

Varela alternated between Lisbon-based clubs Sporting CP and C.F. Os Belenenses in his youth. He made his professional debut with Belenenses SAD in a 2–0 Primeira Liga loss away to Sporting on 10 November 2019. The following 26 January, he scored his first goal in a 2–1 home win over Portimonense SC, with his uncle scoring the other.

Internatianal career

Born in Portugal, Varela is of Cape Verdean descent. Varela represented the Cape Verde U19s in a friendly 2-0 loss to the Portugal U19s on 30 January 2019. He switched to represent Portugal, and represented the Portugal U19s in a 3-1 win over France U19s on 25 February 2020.

Personal life

Varela made his professional debut for Belenenses SAD alongside his uncle Silvestre Varela, a winger who played mainly for FC Porto and was a long-time international for Portugal.