Fernando Varela Ramos (born 1 September 1979) is a Spanish retired footballer. Mainly a right midfielder, he could also operate as an attacking right back, being noted for his long-range strikes.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Fernando Varela Ramos | ||
| Date of birth | (1979-09-01) 1 September 1979 (age 43) | ||
| Place of birth | Dos Hermanas, Spain | ||
| Height | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Betis | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1996–2000 | Betis B | 99 | (13) |
| 1997–2006 | Betis | 158 | (3) |
| 2000 | → Extremadura (loan) | 23 | (3) |
| 2006–2010 | Mallorca | 114 | (10) |
| 2010–2011 | Kasımpaşa | 21 | (4) |
| 2011–2012 | Valladolid | 0 | (0) |
| Total | 415 | (33) | |
| National team | |||
| 1994–1996 | Spain U16 | 15 | (3) |
| 1995–1997 | Spain U17 | 7 | (0) |
| 1996–1998 | Spain U18 | 4 | (0) |
| 1998–1999 | Spain U20 | 10 | (3) |
| 1999–2001 | Spain U21 | 10 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
He amassed La Liga totals of 257 matches and 13 goals over 11 seasons, in representation of Betis and Mallorca. He won one Copa del Rey with the former club.
Born in Dos Hermanas, Province of Seville, Varela was a youth player at local Real Betis, and made his first-team – and La Liga – debut in 1996–97's closing stages, in a 1–1 away draw against Valencia CF. In the 2001–02 season, after a six-month stint with second division club CF Extremadura, he established himself definitely with the main squad, appearing in 25 league games.
In six full campaigns with Betis, Varela only scored three goals combined, but they were noted as some of the best in the Andalusians' history, including once against FC Barcelona where, from his own half, he dribbled past five opponents struck the ball into the top corner with his left foot (2002–03),[1] and a fantastic left-footed volley against city rivals Sevilla FC in 2005–06.[2]
Varela moved to RCD Mallorca for 2006–07. He had a slow start, which culminated in two red cards in the first 11 matches.[3][4] Towards the end of the season he was fully reinstated as right midfielder, being more involved in the team's offence and netting three times, including one against Real Madrid on the final matchday as the hosts eventually won 3–1 and conquered the league title.[5]
The following campaign, incidentally against Real Madrid, Varela scored twice, but Mallorca lost again in Spain's capital (3–4), on 11 November 2007.[6] In 2009–10, as the Balearic Islands club finished fifth and qualified for the UEFA Europa League, he lost his importance in the team and only made 15 league appearances whilst completing just three, due to both injuries and the emergence of Uruguayan Chory Castro.
In July 2010, at nearly 31, Varela left his country for the first time, joining Turkish side Kasımpaşa SK.[7]
Betis
Spain U20