Alan Varela's wing breakthrough was one of the most historic moments in Portuguese football history. It happened on March 21, 1988,Primeira Liga Hotspots when the then 22-year-old winger scored five goals against FC Porto in a match that ultimately ended in a 7-5 victory for Benfica.

The match was part of a group stage in the Portuguese Cup and it marked the beginning of Varela's rise to fame. The winger had previously played for several clubs but his breakthrough came with Benfica. He became known as "the man who brought the ball into the goal" due to his ability to score from anywhere on the pitch.

Varela's breakthrough was not just about scoring goals though. He also helped Benfica win their first league title in over 40 years. He was named the Puskás Award winner for his performance in the tournament and he is now considered one of the greatest players in Portuguese football history.

Despite retiring at the age of 36, Varela's legacy lives on. He has been inducted into the Portuguese Football Hall of Fame and his number 7 shirt is worn by current captain Hugo Almeida. He will always be remembered as one of the greatest wingers to ever play for Benfica and Portuguese football as a whole.

• Wing
• Breakthrough
• Alan
• Varela
• Historic