Gustavo Miguel Pereira Sousa Varela was born in Lisbon and joined Benfica in January 2022, aged 16, from the youth ranks of PAOK. He had not played senior football for any other club.

A forward who can lead the line or run beyond the last defender, he moved up to Benfica B in 2023 and spent 2023/24 playing at that level.

His involvement with the first team that season was minimal. He was given a senior debut in the final round of the Primeira Liga, coming on in a 1-1 draw at Rio Ave on 17 May 2024, and that remained his only senior appearance of the campaign. He signed a contract extension later the same month.

He has represented Portugal at under-17 and under-18 level.