Pany Varela is back at Benfica. It’s more than just a transfer; it’s a homecoming for the 36-year-old futsal star. He put pen to paper this Thursday, signing a deal that keeps him in the red shirt until 2027. His joy is clear, but so is a deep sense of looking back. He spoke to the club’s media, sharing his feelings about stepping back into a place he knows so well. It will feel special, he said, to wear Benfica’s colors again.
“Joy and nostalgia,” Pany shared, summing up his return. He recalled being “very happy in this arena.” He left some time ago, even playing against Benfica. But coming back “home” feels different. “I hope from now on I can add reasons for pride and happiness,” he said. He remembered his early days, not as a start to his career, but where things got serious. Playing for Benfica, a global club, changed him from a boy on the neighborhood pitch to a professional. Those times were beautiful, he noted. He met friends who became like family. He hopes the future brings just as much joy.
Pany believes in moving forward. “We can’t cling to the past,” he stated. He pointed out that the past “lives in the museum” they had just visited, the Benfica Museum – Cosme Damião. He called it “very well organized.” His hope? “I hope soon we can add even more shine to the Museum.”
Is it special to play for Benfica again? “Without a doubt, it will be special,” Pany confirmed. He has good memories wearing the jersey. But his recent ones are as an opponent. He hopes the fans will show the same strong support he felt from them as an opponent. Their strength comes from the stands in crucial moments, he noted. From what he saw from outside, the team never lacked fan support. He wants that to continue, or even get better.
He reflected on the 2010 UEFA Futsal Cup win. Pany was injured then, watching from the sidelines. He felt “the energy the stands were sending onto the field.” He called those “beautiful memories.” He thinks that win was a mental turning point for Benfica. They would get close to winning big, but a barrier seemed to stop them. Benfica broke that barrier in 2010. They became European champions, a dream that felt far away but came true. “Everything good should be tried again,” he said. He believes the team will work hard to be in contention for titles. Finals are 50/50, he added, but you have to be there to have a chance.
Pany doesn’t dwell on his own past honors. “All those are numbers, statistics,” he said. He’s proud of them, but they are behind him. He treats each season like his first. “As of today, I haven’t won any trophy yet this season,” he explained. His goal is to give his all and learn from everyone around him. He believes a team must work as one, from players to staff, medical team, and court maintenance crew. This unity ensures players are at their best on game day. He brings experience, but his main goal is to “add 1% to the group.” This way, “in the end, 100% is Benfica’s victory.” It’s not about individual glory. “Pany won’t win. Lúcio Rocha, Afonso Jesus, or Cassiano Klein won’t win. Benfica will win.” They will work every day for Benfica’s success.
For the fans, Pany has a clear message. “Whoever carries the shield I will wear on my chest this year cannot be content with less than titles.” He promises they will “work to our limits” to win. This applies to him, his teammates, and the entire staff. They will fight for titles when it matters most. They aim to renew the national championship they already hold. And they will go after the titles they missed last year, now that he’s part of the team. “Whoever carries a shield with this history, with this meaning, cannot add anything less than titles,” Pany concluded.