Hélio Varela

Hélio Varela is a Cape Verde forward and a useful weapon from the bench for the Blue Sharks. Quick and direct, he is part of the squad that carried the tiny island nation to its first World Cup.

He delivered one of the biggest moments in his country's history at the 2026 finals, coming on to score the 61st-minute equaliser that earned a famous 2-2 draw with Uruguay.