“When you join FC Porto, the only thing they ask is that you win” | OneFootball

After a very positive season, both individually and collectively, Alan Varela gave an interview to the Argentine newspaper La Nación, in which he spoke about his experience in European football and his dream of playing in the World Cup. “Calm and 100% focused on FC Porto,” the 24-year-old midfielder admits that, after “a great season,” his “goal is to make the final World Cup squad” and believes he “has a chance” of being called up by Lionel Scaloni.

At the Dragão, 2025/26 “was a very good year because good players arrived, with the right mentality, and a new coaching staff that also demands a lot and pays attention to the smallest detail,” and Alan Varela says he is “very happy” with what was achieved after the arrival of Francesco Farioli, a “very important” coach “who brought very good ideas, is always trying to improve every detail, and prepares and analyzes matches very well.”

In front of his compatriots, the midfielder, determined to “work hard, be professional and give everything on the pitch,” wants to be seen as “a player who always gave 100% for the team” and explains that “FC Porto always want to win everything, especially the league,” revealing the mentality of Porto fans: “When you arrive at FC Porto, the only thing people demand from you is to win titles.”

2025/26 to remember“It was a very good season, both personally and collectively. We managed to turn things around very well after last year, when we hit rock bottom. When you arrive at FC Porto, the only thing people demand from you is to win titles and play well. I think last year we were not up to the standard, but this year was very good because good players arrived, with the right mentality, and a new coaching staff that also demands a lot and pays attention to the smallest detail. And all of that ended up being reflected throughout the season.”

2024/25 below expectations“We were not up to the standard in any competition. We were unable to fight for the league title, which is something people always demand from us, we also did not do well in the cups and were knocked out very early, and we did not have a good Club World Cup either. This year we managed to turn it around and we are very happy about that.”

Renewed leadership“Mister Farioli’s arrival was very important because he brought very good ideas, he is always trying to improve every detail, and he prepares and analyzes matches very well. On top of that, having Lucho (González) here is an honor for me. As a player he was extraordinary, and being able to share day-to-day life with him, with him always demanding more from me, is very good. I always try to improve, listen to him and learn from everything he tells me.”

Argentine legacy“It is very nice, because they were very good and highly respected players who left their mark in Portugal. When I arrived here, people were always telling me about Lucho, Lisandro and Belluschi, and that reflects the great work they did. I always try to work hard, be professional and give everything on the pitch, so that people recognize that I was always a player who gave 100% for the team.”

Adapting to Europe“The truth is that it was easy to adapt. As soon as I arrived I started playing right away, but that also depends on the confidence the coach gives you and the confidence of your teammates so that I can show my football. That was crucial for my quick adaptation and for continuing to show everything I have been showing since I got here.”

Working with Martín Anselmi“Martín struck me as a great coach, always very attentive to each player and every detail. But he took over the team during a bad spell and we were unable to help him implement all the ideas he had. And then what happened, happened.”

President André Villas-Boas“He is doing an incredible job, always paying very close attention to the team and everything surrounding FC Porto. He is a great person. You can always speak to him in the best way, and he understands very well what the player needs. Since he has already been a coach, he understands this world very well.”

The Lisbon rivals“They are always very difficult matches. Everything is on the line against those teams, because a defeat can push you away from the title. This year we did well in those games, we did not lose against any of the big teams: Benfica, Sporting and SC Braga. I was very happy to win some clássicos and not lose others, because that helped us become champions. I have always had a great relationship with Nico (Otamendi), on and off the pitch. There has always been respect between us. Of course, in a clássico you leave everything on the pitch, but outside that there is no problem at all.”

The World Cup call-up“Being included in a list of 55 players for a competition like that is very nice. And obviously I am not satisfied with just that. I think I had a great season, I felt very comfortable at FC Porto and I believe I have a chance, but there is still some time left. I just have to keep working and see what happens. Argentina will always be contenders. We won the last World Cup, we won the Copa América, and we will always be contenders as long as Messi, our number 10, continues to be the best player in the world.”

Riquelme and Marchesín at Boca Juniors“From time to time we exchange messages and not long ago I sent him an FC Porto shirt. My relationship with Román has always been good and that is very special to me, because he is one of my idols. At FC Porto I have teammates who played with Marchesín and who are very sorry about his injury. I am too, as a Boca fan, and I am very sad that he got injured like that. I hope he recovers in the best possible way and continues to show that he can defend Boca’s shirt.”

The transfer market“I am calm and 100% focused on FC Porto. Those matters are handled by my agent and right now I am not thinking about that. My goal is to make the final World Cup squad and that is what I am focused on.”

FC Porto mentality“Here we always want to win everything, especially the league. The Portuguese League is very important because it gives direct access to the Champions League and it is also important to have a good Champions League campaign next season.”

Childhood dream“When we are young, we do not think so much about victories or lifting trophies, we think more about enjoying football. I always thought about enjoying football until my daughter was born, when I was 17, and then everything became very serious. I had to work myself to the bone to give her a better life and to reach the first team. From the moment I made it, I started seeing football as a livelihood, not just to make a living, but also to leave my name in the history of every club I play for.”

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