Cardoso Varela

In this Portuguese name, the first or maternal family name is Mandumeand the second or paternal family name is Varela.

Cardoso Varela

Personal information
Full name	Cardoso Pinto Mandume Varela [1]
Date of birth	(2008-10-29) 29 October 2008 (age 16)
Place of birth	Luanda, Angola
Position(s)	Forward
Team information
Current team	Dinamo Zagreb
Number	23
Youth career
0000–2024	Porto
2025–	Dinamo Zagreb
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2025–	Dinamo Zagreb	1	(0)
International career‡
2022	Portugal U15	3	(0)
2023–	Portugal U17	22	(3)
Medal record Men's football Representing   Portugal UEFA European Under-17 Championship Runner-up 2024 Cyprus
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 8 August 2025 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals as of 18 February 2024 (UTC)

Cardoso Pinto Mandume Varela (born 29 October 2008) is a Portuguese footballer who plays as a forward for under-19 team of HNL club Dinamo Zagreb. ^[1]

Early life

Varela was born in Angola and acquired Portuguese citizenship on 6 July 2022. ^[2]

Club career

After becoming eligible for a professional contract talks between Varela and Porto turned sour, prompting the player to attempt to sign for Croatian amateur club NK Dinamo Odranski Obrež, however this registration was denied by FIFA. ^{[2] [3]} After months of speculation, Dinamo Zagreb officially signed Varela. ^[4]

International career

Varela was the youngest member of Portugal U17 team that were runner-ups of the 2024 UEFA European Under-17 Championship in Cyprus. ^[5]

Career statistics

As of match played 8 August 2025

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			Cup		Europe		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Dinamo Zagreb	2025–26	Croatian Football League	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
Career total			1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0

References

1. "Cardoso Varela". worldfootball.net.
2. "Where is Cardoso Varela? How a Portuguese Prodigy's Career Went Off the Rails". www.sportsandcrime.com.
3. "SN otkrivaju pozadinu senzacionalnog transfera Dinama: 'Bit će jedan od najboljih koji su ikada igrali u Hrvatskoj!'".
4. "Varela potpisao za Dinamo, agentima i obitelji osiguran veliki postotak od narednog transfera".
5. "Novo pojačanje na Maksimiru, veliki talent potpisao za Dinamo: 'Trenirat će u akademiji'".