Javi Varas
Encyclopedia
Javier 'Javi' Varas Herrera (born 10 September 1982 in Seville
, Andalusia
) is a Spanish
professional footballer who plays for Sevilla FC
as a goalkeeper.
aged 23, after having only played amateur football in Andalusia
(although he had been bought by the club two years earlier). He spent his first three seasons with the B team
, contributing with 13 games in 2006–07 as it promoted to Segunda División
for the first time ever, and training now and then with the main squad.
After David Cobeño
moved to Rayo Vallecano
, Varas was definitely promoted to backup of Andrés Palop
, making his La Liga
debut on 17 January 2009, in a 1–0 home win game against CD Numancia
. During a full month (October–November 2009), following injury to the starter, he was again called for starting duties, only conceding once in four games, in the 3–1 away win against VfB Stuttgart
for the season's UEFA Champions League
.
Midway through 2010–11
, Varas became Sevilla's first-choice, over 37-year old Palop. He contributed with 21 games as the side finished fifth and qualified
to the UEFA Europa League.
Under new manager Marcelino García Toral, Varas continued as starter. On 22 October 2011, he put on a Man of the match
performance against FC Barcelona
, saving eight shots - including an injury-time penalty
from Lionel Messi
- in an eventual 0–0 away draw.
Seville
Seville is the artistic, historic, cultural, and financial capital of southern Spain. It is the capital of the autonomous community of Andalusia and of the province of Seville. It is situated on the plain of the River Guadalquivir, with an average elevation of above sea level...
, Andalusia
Andalusia
Andalusia is the most populous and the second largest in area of the autonomous communities of Spain. The Andalusian autonomous community is officially recognised as a nationality of Spain. The territory is divided into eight provinces: Huelva, Seville, Cádiz, Córdoba, Málaga, Jaén, Granada and...
) is a Spanish
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
professional footballer who plays for Sevilla FC
Sevilla FC
Sevilla Fútbol Club S.A.D. is a Spanish professional football club based in Seville, Spain that plays in the Spanish La Liga championship.They are one of the most successful clubs in Spanish football having won a 1 La Liga title, 5 Spanish "Copa del Rey" Cups, 1 Spanish Super Cup and 2 UEFA...
as a goalkeeper.
Football career
Varas arrived at Sevilla FCSevilla FC
Sevilla Fútbol Club S.A.D. is a Spanish professional football club based in Seville, Spain that plays in the Spanish La Liga championship.They are one of the most successful clubs in Spanish football having won a 1 La Liga title, 5 Spanish "Copa del Rey" Cups, 1 Spanish Super Cup and 2 UEFA...
aged 23, after having only played amateur football in Andalusia
Andalusia
Andalusia is the most populous and the second largest in area of the autonomous communities of Spain. The Andalusian autonomous community is officially recognised as a nationality of Spain. The territory is divided into eight provinces: Huelva, Seville, Cádiz, Córdoba, Málaga, Jaén, Granada and...
(although he had been bought by the club two years earlier). He spent his first three seasons with the B team
Sevilla Atlético
Sevilla Atlético Club is a Spanish football team based in Seville, in the autonomous community of Andalusia. Founded in 1958, it plays in Segunda División B, and is the reserve team of Sevilla FC, holding home games at Ciudad Deportiva José Ramón Cisneros Palacios, with a 7,000-seat capacity.Unlike...
, contributing with 13 games in 2006–07 as it promoted to Segunda División
Segunda División
The Segunda División is the lower tier of the two professional football leagues in Spain. From the season 2008-09 onwards, the name of the league is Liga Adelante.-History:...
for the first time ever, and training now and then with the main squad.
After David Cobeño
David Cobeño
David Cobeño Iglesias is a Spanish footballer who plays for Rayo Vallecano as a goalkeeper.-Football career:Cobeño graduated in the youth squads of local Rayo Vallecano. After one season with lowly SD Ponferradina, he was bought by Real Madrid, spending 2005–06 in Segunda División with its B...
moved to Rayo Vallecano
Rayo Vallecano
Rayo Vallecano de Madrid, S.A.D., often abbreviated to Rayo, is a Spanish football team based in Madrid, in the neighbourhood of Vallecas...
, Varas was definitely promoted to backup of Andrés Palop
Andrés Palop
Andrés Palop Cervera is a Spanish footballer who plays for Sevilla FC as a goalkeeper.After having languished on the bench of hometown side Valencia for most of his stay, he became a premiere player with Sevilla well into his 30's, helping it consolidate in both the domestic and European...
, making his La Liga
La Liga
The Primera División of the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional , commonly known as La Liga or, for sponsorship reasons, Liga BBVA since 2008, is the top professional association football division of the Spanish football league system...
debut on 17 January 2009, in a 1–0 home win game against CD Numancia
CD Numancia
Club Deportivo Numancia de Soria, S.A.D. is a Spanish football club based in Soria, in the autonomous community of Castile and León. Founded on 9 April 1945, it plays in Segunda División, holding home games at Nuevo Estadio Los Pajaritos, with a 10,200-seat capacity.Besides football it has other...
. During a full month (October–November 2009), following injury to the starter, he was again called for starting duties, only conceding once in four games, in the 3–1 away win against VfB Stuttgart
VfB Stuttgart
Verein für Bewegungsspiele Stuttgart 1893 e. V., commonly known as VfB Stuttgart, is a German sports club based in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg. The club is best known for its football team, which has participated in all but two Bundesliga seasons...
for the season's UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
.
Midway through 2010–11
2010–11 La Liga
The 2010–11 La Liga season was the 80th since its establishment. The campaign began on 28 August 2010 and ended on 21 May 2011. A total of 20 teams contested the league, 17 of which already contested in the 2009–10 season and three of which were promoted from the Segunda División...
, Varas became Sevilla's first-choice, over 37-year old Palop. He contributed with 21 games as the side finished fifth and qualified
2011–12 UEFA Europa League
The 2011–12 UEFA Europa League is the third season of the competition since it was renamed from the UEFA Cup. It began on 30 June 2011 with the first legs of the first qualifying round, and will end on 9 May 2012 with the final to be held at Stadionul Național in Bucharest, Romania...
to the UEFA Europa League.
Under new manager Marcelino García Toral, Varas continued as starter. On 22 October 2011, he put on a Man of the match
Man of the match
In sport, a Man of the Match or Player of the Game or Man of the Series award is given to the outstanding player, almost always the one who makes the most impact, in a particular match or series. The term was originally used more often in cricket before being adopted by other sports. This can be a...
performance against FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona
Futbol Club Barcelona , also known as Barcelona and familiarly as Barça, is a professional football club, based in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain....
, saving eight shots - including an injury-time penalty
Penalty kick
A penalty kick is a type of direct free kick in association football, taken from twelve yards out from goal and with only the goalkeeper of the defending team between the penalty taker and the goal.Penalty kicks are performed during normal play...
from Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi
Lionel Andrés "Leo" Messi is an Argentine footballer who plays for FC Barcelona and captains the Argentina national team, mainly as a striker. Messi received several Ballon d'Or and FIFA World Player of the Year nominations by the age of 21, and won in 2009 and 2010...
- in an eventual 0–0 away draw.