Gustavo Varela has already scored seven goals this season, as many as he scored for Gil Vicente last season, where he played on loan from Benfica. With the path to the first team blocked at the Reds, the 21-year-old was sold for €2.5 million to Monza. There, he has already earned starter status, as well as with the under-21 national team.

This Friday he broke the deadlock in a tricky game in Bulgaria, counting towards qualifying for next year's European Championship. Between club and country, he already has seven goals in six games and is well on course to beat the best scoring record of his career in a single season.

In 2024/25, Varela, who even began his development at Sporting, before a spell with Greek side PAOK, scored 11 goals in 35 games for Benfica B; he also scored seven goals for the youth team. But his current form leaves no doubt that he is in the best phase of his career.

He started the season with a brace against Avellino in the Coppa Italia and immediately made a name for himself at San Siro by scoring against Inter (a 1-4 defeat), before being decisive in the wins over Udinese (3-2) and Sassuolo (he scored both goals in the 2-1 triumph).

He is the only Monza player with more than one goal scored; only Donyell Malen has more than his four in Serie A. He took the starting spot from compatriot Danny Mota… and did the same to Rafael Nel with the under-21 national team.

Benfica could profit more

If he maintains form similar to his current one, Gustavo Varela is not expected to stay much longer at Monza, who are in 16th place in Serie A, with only four points from five rounds.

The Eagles will be attentive to a possible sale of Varela, as they safeguarded 20% of a future sale of the player.