Guillermo Varela has built a solid football career across Uruguay, England, Spain, Germany, Denmark, Russia, and Brazil.
This article covers his estimated net worth, current Flamengo salary, contract details, and full career earnings breakdown.
Guillermo Varela’s Biography
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Guillermo Varela Olivera |
| Date of Birth | March 24, 1993 |
| Age | 33 years old |
| Place of Birth | Montevideo, Uruguay |
| Nationality | Uruguayan |
| Height / Weight | 1.73 m / 73 kg |
| Position | Right-Back |
| Current Club | Flamengo (Brazil) |
| Shirt Number | #2 |
| Turned Professional | 2011 (Peñarol) |
| Net Worth | ~$4 million (estimated) |
| Annual Salary | ~R$8.4 million (~$1.6 million USD) |
| Contract Expiry | December 31, 2027 |
| Relationship Status | Private |
Early Life and Career
Guillermo Varela Olivera was born on March 24, 1993, in Montevideo, Uruguay. He grew up in a city with a deep footballing culture, where clubs like Peñarol and Nacional dominate the national conversation.
From a young age, Varela showed natural ability as a right-back — disciplined in defense and comfortable on the ball.
He joined Peñarol’s youth academy and worked his way through their development system.
The club gave him his first taste of professional football in 2011, when he broke into the senior squad as a teenager. His performances were promising enough to attract attention from bigger clubs in Europe.
Varela also represented Uruguay at the youth level, eventually earning a place in the national under-20 team. He was part of the Uruguay U-20 squad that finished runners-up at the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Turkey, where they lost to France in the final.
That tournament put him on the radar of clubs across Europe, including one of the biggest names in world football.
Professional Career
In 2013, Varela made the move to Manchester United for an undisclosed fee — a major step for a teenager from Uruguay. He spent four years on the books at Old Trafford, though first-team opportunities were limited.
He made 11 senior appearances for United and spent the 2014–15 season on loan at Real Madrid Castilla, where he made 33 appearances in the Segunda División B. His full career stats are tracked on Transfermarkt.
In 2016, United sent him on a season-long loan to Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga. The spell ended early due to disciplinary issues, and the German club chose not to extend the arrangement.
In August 2017, Varela returned home and signed permanently with Peñarol, where he went on to win two Uruguayan Primera División titles.
His next move came in January 2019 when he signed for Danish top-flight club FC Copenhagen on a deal running through June 2023.
After a productive spell there, he joined Dynamo Moscow on loan in October 2020 and later signed permanently with the Russian club in July 2021. Dynamo fans voted him their Player of the Month in October 2021.
In July 2022, Flamengo brought him to Brazil on loan from Dynamo Moscow.
He impressed enough at the Rio de Janeiro giants that the club signed him permanently on July 1, 2023. ESPN’s full career history for Varela confirms his five-season presence at Flamengo.
On the international stage, Varela represented Uruguay at both the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups, cementing his place as a reliable option for La Celeste.
Guillermo Varela’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Guillermo Varela’s has an estimated net worth of $4 million USD.
He built this wealth over a 15-year professional career spanning clubs in Uruguay, England, Spain, Germany, Denmark, Russia, and Brazil. His highest-earning years have come during his time at Flamengo, one of the wealthiest clubs in South America.
Contract
Flamengo renewed Varela’s contract in August 2025 after months of negotiation. According to Brazilian football reports, the new deal runs until December 31, 2027, giving him two more years of security in Rio.
The renewal came during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, where Flamengo were competing on the global stage.
The club was keen to keep Varela as cover for starting right-back Wesley, who attracted strong interest from European clubs including a €35 million offer from Manchester City’s ownership group.
Salary
Reports confirmed Varela earns approximately R$700,000 per month at Flamengo, which translates to around R$8.4 million per year — roughly $1.6 million USD annually at current exchange rates.
His new contract included a 30% salary increase from his previous deal. Earlier in the negotiation process, Flamengo held firm against his agent’s higher demands, and Varela ultimately accepted an offer the club had put on the table.
Capology tracks Varela’s salary profile among Flamengo’s first-team wage structure.
Career Earnings By Year
| Season | Club | Est. Annual Salary (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| 2011–2013 | Peñarol | ~$80,000 |
| 2013–2014 | Manchester United | ~$700,000 |
| 2014–2015 | Real Madrid Castilla (loan) | ~$400,000 |
| 2015–2016 | Manchester United | ~$800,000 |
| 2016–2017 | Eintracht Frankfurt (loan) | ~$700,000 |
| 2017–2019 | Peñarol | ~$350,000/yr |
| 2019–2021 | FC Copenhagen | ~$900,000/yr |
| 2020–2021 | Dynamo Moscow (loan) | ~$1,000,000 |
| 2021–2022 | Dynamo Moscow | ~$1,200,000 |
| 2022–2023 | Flamengo (loan → permanent) | ~$1,200,000 |
| 2023–2025 | Flamengo | ~$1,300,000/yr |
| 2025–2027 | Flamengo (renewed) | ~$1,600,000/yr |
Career Statistics
| Season | Club | Competition | Apps | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011–2013 | Peñarol | Uruguayan Primera | 32 | 0 | 1 |
| 2013–2015 | Manchester United / Real Madrid B | Various | 44 | 1 | 0 |
| 2015–2016 | Manchester United | Premier League / UCL | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| 2016–2017 | Eintracht Frankfurt | Bundesliga | 7 | 0 | 1 |
| 2017–2019 | Peñarol | Uruguayan Primera | 54 | 2 | 3 |
| 2019–2021 | FC Copenhagen | Danish Superliga | 27 | 0 | 2 |
| 2020–2021 | Dynamo Moscow (loan) | Russian Premier | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021–2022 | Dynamo Moscow | Russian Premier | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 2022–2025 | Flamengo | Brasileirão / Copa | 109 | 3 | 3 |
| 2026 | Flamengo | Brasileirão | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Total | ~290+ | 6 | 12 |
FAQs
What is Guillermo Varela’s net worth?
Guillermo Varela’s estimated net worth is around $4 million USD. He earned this through professional contracts across Europe and South America, including his current deal at Flamengo, which pays him approximately $1.6 million per year.
How much does Guillermo Varela earn at Flamengo?
Varela earns approximately R$700,000 per month at Flamengo, which is around $1.6 million annually in USD. His salary rose by 30% when he renewed his contract in August 2025 after months of negotiation between his agent and the club.
What clubs has Guillermo Varela played for?
Varela played for Peñarol, Manchester United, Real Madrid Castilla (loan), Eintracht Frankfurt (loan), Peñarol again, FC Copenhagen, Dynamo Moscow, and Flamengo — where he has been based since July 2022.
Did Guillermo Varela play in the FIFA World Cup?
Yes, he played in both the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia and the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar as part of Uruguay’s national team squad. He came on as a substitute during Uruguay’s group-stage match against South Korea in 2022.
When does Guillermo Varela’s Flamengo contract expire?
His current contract with Flamengo runs until December 31, 2027. He signed the renewal in August 2025 after his previous deal was due to expire at the. The new contract also includes an automatic extension clause for an additional season.
