Ex-Palmeiras centre-back shines in the Middle East, celebrates season | OneFootball

Another Academy product is beginning to establish himself in international football. Center-back Gabriel Vareta, 20, developed at Palmeiras, finished the 2025/26 season on a high at Al-Wasl FC, from the United Arab Emirates.

At 20 years old, the defender played an important role in the campaign that secured the club a place in the next edition of the AFC Champions League Elite. In total, Vareta played 20 matches this season, 15 of them as a starter, across the UAE Pro League, UAE League Cup, and AFC Champions League Two.

Gabriel Vareta arrived at Al-Wasl in July 2025, after a spell at Al-Fayha FC, also from the United Arab Emirates.

At the club, the defender shares the squad with players well known to Brazilian fans, such as center-back Adryelson, formerly of Botafogo, left-back Hugo, who had spells at Vitória and Botafogo, as well as Colombian striker Miguel Borja, formerly of Palmeiras.

Gabriel Vareta in action for Al-Wasl (Photos: Disclosure / Al-Wasl)

Career at Palmeiras

Gabriel Vareta began his journey in futsal before moving to the field in Palmeiras’ youth academy. The defender went through every stage of the club’s development system up to the Under-20 level, collecting important titles.

Among his main achievements are the 2024 Brazilian Under-20 Championship, as well as the Under-17 Copa do Brasil, Brazilian Under-17 Championship, and São Paulo Under-17 Championship, all in 2022. He also won the São Paulo Under-20 Championship in 2021 and 2023.

Gabriel Vareta left Palmeiras permanently in July 2025, when his contract with Al-Fayha FC ended and he was transferred permanently to Al-Wasl. The deal was worth around R$ 20 million.

Gabriel Vareta in action for Palmeiras (Photo: Fabio Menotti)

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.