Barnabás Varga: From Career Uncertainty to Hungarian Football’s Rising Star

Recent Success in European Competition

Barnabás Varga has recently demonstrated his scoring prowess by netting twice in a commanding 3-0 victory over PFC Ludogorets Razgrad in the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League qualifying round at the Groupama Aréna.

National Team Impact

The Hungarian striker continues to make significant contributions to his national team, most recently scoring in a 2-2 draw against Ireland in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification match at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium. His international career has seen remarkable growth, with his journey beginning as a substitute in UEFA Euro qualifying matches against Bulgaria, followed by his first international goal against Lithuania, and a crucial goal in a victory against Serbia.

Club Career Development

Currently playing as a forward for Ferencváros in the Nemzeti Bajnokság I, Varga’s rise to prominence included becoming the top scorer of the 2022-23 season with 26 goals for Paks, before moving to defending champions Ferencváros in June 2023.

Personal Journey

Remarkably, Varga is considered a player who reached his peak later in his career, having nearly abandoned football in his early twenties before receiving an opportunity from SV Mattersburg. He currently resides in Szentpéterfa, a small village near the Austrian border, where he has expressed his desire to settle after retirement.

Future Prospects

At 30 years old, the Szombathely-born striker continues to be a valuable asset for both Ferencvárosi TC and the Hungarian national team. His recent performances in both domestic and international competitions suggest he remains a key figure in Hungarian football’s current renaissance.