Barnabás Varga (born 25 October 1994) is a Hungarian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Nemzeti Bajnokság I club Ferencváros and the Hungary national team.

Barnabás Varga
Varga with SV Mattersburg in 2018
Personal information
Date of birth (1994-10-25) 25 October 1994 (age 29)
Place of birth Szombathely, Hungary
Height 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)[1]
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
Ferencváros
Number 19
Youth career
2009–2010 Illés Akadémia[1]
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2010–2016 SV Eberau
2016–2019 SV Mattersburg II 57 (51)
2016–2019 SV Mattersburg 16 (1)
2019–2020 SV Lafnitz 29 (11)
2020–2022 Gyirmót 58 (26)
2022–2023 Paks 31 (26)
2023– Ferencváros 26 (21)
International career
2023– Hungary 14 (7)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 1 September 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 7 September 2024, 23:22 (UTC)

Club career

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With 26 goals for Paks, Varga was the top scorer of the 2022–23 Nemzeti Bajnokság I season.

On 1 June 2023, Varga moved to then defending champions, Ferencváros.[2]

On 27 July 2023, Varga scored his first European goal against Shamrock Rovers in the 2023–24 UEFA Europa Conference League.[3]

On 6 August 2023, Varga scored his first goal in the 2023–24 Nemzeti Bajnokság I season against Fehérvár FC at the Sóstói Stadion.[4] On 27 August, he scored a hat-trick in a 6–1 victory over former club Paks in the fifth game day of the league season.[5] He followed this up with another hat-trick in the club's next league match, a 6–2 win over Zalaegerszeg on 3 September.

On 22 October 2023, Varga was injured in a Nemzeti Bajnokság I match against Diósgyőri VTK.[6] Ferencváros manager, Dejan Stanković, said that Varga paid for his matches in the national team.[7][8] Therefore, he had to miss the UEFA Europa League match against K.R.C. Genk.[9]

In an interview with M4 Sport, Gábor Kubatov, the president of Ferencváros, said that he is happy that he had been convinced to purchase the top scorer of the 2022–23 Nemzeti Bajnokság I season. However, Kubatov was hesitating during the aummer of 2023 to sign or not to sign Varga.[10]

In January 2024, Varga started training with the team after his injury.[11]

On 6 February 2024, Varga scored four goals in a 5–1 victory over arch-rivals MTK Budapest FC.[12][13][14] After the match, Dejan Stanković, Ferencváros manager, said that Varga is a fascinating football player.[15] In an interview, published on Nemzeti Sport, Varga said that scoring four goals was really beneficial for his soul after his long injury.[16]

On 20 April 2024, the Ferencváros–Kisvárda tie ended with a goalless draw at the Groupama Aréna on the 29th match day of the 2023–24 Nemzeti Bajnokság I season[17] which meant that Ferencváros won their 35th championship.[18][19]

On 15 May 2024, Ferencváros were defeated by Paks 2–0 in the 2024 Magyar Kupa Final at the Puskás Aréna.[20][21] On 3 October 2024, he scored against Tottenham Hotspur F.C. in the 2024–25 UEFA Europa League league phase match in Budapest.[22] The match ended with a 2-1 defeat for Ferencváros.[23]

International career

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On 27 March 2023, Varga made his first appearance as a substitute for the Hungary national team in an UEFA Euro qualifying match against Bulgaria.[24] Three games later, he scored his first goal in the third qulifying group stage match against Lithuania.[25]

On 7 September 2023, Varga scored the first Hungarian goal in a 2–1 victory against Serbia in the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying match at the Stadion Rajko Mitic in Belgrade, Serbia.[26]

On 14 October 2023, Varga scored the first Hungarian goal in a 2–1 victory over Serbia at the Puskás Aréna in the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying match.[27][28]

On 14 May 2024, Varga was named in Hungary's squad for UEFA Euro 2024.[29] On 8 June 2024, he scored two goals in a friendly tie against Israel at the Nagyerdei Stadion.[30][31][32] Prior to the Euro 2024, he was included along with Robert Andrich, Jasir Asani, Abdülkerim Bardakcı, Álex Grimaldo, and Maximilian Mittelstädt by The Guardian among the six "late bloomers" who could shine at the championship.[33] In the team's first match of the tournament, Varga scored Hungary's only goal as they were beaten 3–1 by Switzerland in Cologne.[34]

On 23 June 2024, during the Euro 2024 group match against Scotland, Varga was rendered unconscious and landed in a fencing response,[35] following a free kick and clash with Scotland's goalkeeper Angus Gunn. After a 10 minute wait he was stretchered off the pitch. After the match, it was reported Varga was in a conscious and stable condition.[36]

Personal life

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In an article, published on Nemzeti Sport, Gábor Thury said that Varga is a player who reached his peak at the end of his career.[37] Varga was about to give up his career in his early 20s, when he received an offer from SV Mattersburg.

Varga resides in a small village, Szentpéterfa, located close to the Austrian border. In an interview published on Nemzeti Sport, he said that when he retires he wants to spend his life there.[38]

Career statistics

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Club

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As of match played 1 September 2024[39]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] Europe Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Lafnitz 2016–17 Austrian Bundesliga 11 1 0 0 11 1
2017–18 0 0 0 0 0 0
2018–19 5 0 0 0 5 0
2018–19 Austrian 2. Liga 14 4 0 0 14 4
2019–20 15 7 1 1 16 8
Total 45 12 1 1 46 13
Gyirmót 2019–20 Nemzeti Bajnokság II 5 1 0 0 5 1
2020–21 24 12 1 3 25 15
2021–22 Nemzeti Bajnokság I 29 13 1 0 30 13
Total 58 26 2 3 60 29
Paks 2022–23 Nemzeti Bajnokság I 31 26 2 3 33 29
Ferencváros 2023–24 Nemzeti Bajnokság I 24 20 3 0 13[b] 9 40 29
2024–25 Nemzeti Bajnokság I 2 1 0 0 2[c] 1 4 1
Total 26 21 3 0 15 10 44 30
Career total 160 85 8 7 15 10 183 101
  1. ^ Includes Austrian Cup, Magyar Kupa
  2. ^ Two appearances in UEFA Champions League, eleven appearances and nine goals in UEFA Europa Conference League
  3. ^ Appearances in UEFA Europa League

International

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As of match played 7 September 2024[40]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Hungary 2023 7 4
2024 7 3
Total 14 7
Scores and results list Hungary's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Varga goal.[40]
List of international goals scored by Barnabás Varga
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1 20 June 2023 Puskás Aréna, Budapest, Hungary   Lithuania 1–0 2–0 UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying
2 7 September 2023 Red Star Stadium, Belgrade, Serbia   Serbia 1–1 2–1
3 14 October 2023 Puskás Aréna, Budapest, Hungary   Serbia 1–0 2–1
4 17 October 2023 Darius and Girėnas Stadium, Kaunas, Lithuania   Lithuania 2–2 2–2
5 8 June 2024 Nagyerdei Stadion, Debrecen, Hungary   Israel 2–0 3–0 Friendly
6 3–0
7 15 June 2024 RheinEnergieStadion, Cologne, Germany    Switzerland 1–2 1–3 UEFA Euro 2024

Honours

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Ferencvárosi TC

Individual

References

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  1. ^ a b Profile at WorldFootball, worldfootball.net
  2. ^ "Hungarian national team top scorer joins Fradi". fradi.hu. 1 June 2023. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
  3. ^ "History: Ferencváros 4-0 Shamrock Rovers | UEFA Conference League 2023/24".
  4. ^ "Fehérvár vs. Ferencváros - 6 August 2023". Soccerway. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  5. ^ "Ferencváros vs. Paks - 27 August 2023". Soccerway. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
  6. ^ Nemzet, Magyar (23 October 2023). "Sztankovics Varga Barnabás sérüléséről: Megfizette a válogatottság árát". Sztankovics Varga Barnabás sérüléséről: Megfizette a válogatottság árát (in Hungarian). Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  7. ^ István, Kocsmár-Tóth (23 October 2023). "Ilyen nincs! Sérülés miatt kellett lecserélni a magyar válogatott alapemberét". index.hu (in Hungarian). Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  8. ^ "Dejan Sztankovics: "Varga Barnabás megfizeti az árát, hogy rengeteg meccset játszik"". Sportal.hu (in Hungarian). 22 October 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  9. ^ nemzetisport.hu (2023). "Ekl: Varga Barna kihagyhatja a Genk elleni meccset - NSO". www.nemzetisport.hu (in Hungarian). Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  10. ^ "Kubatov: Örülök, hogy meggyőztek Varga Barnabás leigazolásáról". telex (in Hungarian). 14 December 2023. Retrieved 24 December 2023.
  11. ^ "FTC: Varga Barnabás újra a csapattal edzett". Nemzeti Sport (in Hungarian). 23 January 2024. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  12. ^ "Videó: Varga-show a Groupamában, a Fradi csatára három és fél perc alatt szerzett három gólt". Nemzeti Sport (in Hungarian). 6 February 2024. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  13. ^ "Ferencváros vs. MTK - 6 February 2024". Soccerway. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  14. ^ "A Fradi 5-1-re ütötte ki az MTK-t, Varga Barnabás egymaga négy gólt rúgott". telex (in Hungarian). 7 February 2024. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  15. ^ "NB I: Lenyűgöző játékos – Sztankovics is dicsérte a mesternégyest szerző Varga Barnabást". Nemzeti Sport (in Hungarian). 7 February 2024. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  16. ^ "NB I: Jólesett a lelkemnek – Varga Barnabás a négy gólja után". Nemzeti Sport (in Hungarian). 7 February 2024. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  17. ^ "Ferencváros vs. Kisvárda - 20 April 2024". Soccerway. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
  18. ^ "Klubrekord! Sorozatban hatodszor bajnok a Ferencváros". Nemzeti Sport (in Hungarian). 20 April 2024. Retrieved 4 May 2024.
  19. ^ "Ferencváros crowned Hungarian champions for sixth year in a row". 20 April 2024.
  20. ^ FC, PAKSI (15 May 2024). "KUPAGYŐZTESEK LETTÜNK!". paksifc.hu (in Hungarian). Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  21. ^ "Defeat in the MOL Hungarian Cup final". www.fradi.hu. Retrieved 17 May 2024.
  22. ^ "Five star Johnson secures victory in Budapest". Tottenham Hotspur. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
  23. ^ "Nagyot küzdött a Ferencváros, de a Tottenham túl nagy falat volt Vargáéknak". Nemzeti Sport (in Hungarian). 3 October 2024. Retrieved 4 October 2024.
  24. ^ ""Akár a külföld is benne lehet" – az NB I gólkirályjelöltje Bognár Györggyel még magasabb fokozatba kapcsolt". m4sport.hu (in hungarian). 25 April 2023.
  25. ^ "Sallai bomba, Varga első góllal tette emlékezetessé litvánok elleni meccsét". sport365.hu (in Hungarian). 20 June 2023. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
  26. ^ UEFA.com. "Serbia-Hungary | European Qualifiers 2024". UEFA.com. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  27. ^ nemzetisport.hu (2023). "Ahogy köll: itthon is megvertük a szerbeket – NSO". nemzetisport.hu (in Hungarian). Retrieved 15 October 2023.
  28. ^ UEFA.com. "Hungary-Serbia | European Qualifiers 2024". UEFA.com. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
  29. ^ "Szoboszlai gets shot at Euro glory with Hungary as Rossi names squad". Reuters. 14 May 2024. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  30. ^ "Jól sikerült az Eb-főpróba Debrecenben, három góllal megvertük Izraelt". Nemzeti Sport (in Hungarian). 8 June 2024. Retrieved 9 June 2024.
  31. ^ Halickman, Joshua (8 June 2024). "Israel falls to Hungary 3–0 on a trio of 1st half goals". Sports Rabbi. Retrieved 9 June 2024.
  32. ^ "Hungary 3 – 0 Israel | Football". the Guardian. Retrieved 9 June 2024.
  33. ^ Yokhin, Michael (7 June 2024). "Once rejected, now key: six late bloomers who could shine at Euros". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 9 June 2024.
  34. ^ "Hungary vs Switzerland". UEFA. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
  35. ^ "What happened to Hungary player at Euro 2024? Latest updates after Barnabas Varga receives urgent medical treatment in Scotland match after collision | Sporting News India". www.sportingnews.com. 23 June 2024.
  36. ^ "Euro 2024: Hungary's Barnabas Varga stable after going off on a stretcher". BBC Sport. 23 June 2024.
  37. ^ nemzetisport.hu (2023). "Későn érő klasszis – Thury Gábor jegyzete - NSO". www.nemzetisport.hu (in Hungarian). Retrieved 22 December 2023.
  38. ^ nemzetisport.hu (2023). "Mindenhol jó, de legjobb otthon! – Varga Barnabás karácsonya Szentp". www.nemzetisport.hu (in Hungarian). Retrieved 24 December 2023.
  39. ^ "Barnabás Varga". Soccerway. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  40. ^ a b "Varga, Barnabás". National Football Teams. Retrieved 21 June 2023.
  41. ^ "Varga Barnabás lett az NB1 gólkirálya (2022/2023)" (in Hungarian). Hunfoci.hu. 29 May 2023.
  42. ^ "Góllövő lista". mlsz.hu (in Hungarian). Retrieved 3 November 2023.
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