{{Short description|Spanish footballer (born 2002)}} {{family name hatnote|Veiga|Novas|lang=Spanish}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Gabri Veiga | image = | image_size = | caption = | full_name = Gabriel Veiga Novas<ref name="FIFA Club World Cup 25">{{cite web |url=https://fdp.fifa.org/assetspublic/ce233/pdf/SquadLists-English.pdf |title=FIFA Club World Cup 2025™ Squad List: FC Porto (POR) |publisher=FIFA |page=17 |date=14 June 2025 |access-date=9 July 2025}}</ref> | birth_date = {{birth date and age|2002|5|27|df=y}} | birth_place = O Porriño, Galicia, Spain | height = 1.84 m<ref name="FIFA Club World Cup 25"/> | position = Attacking midfielder | currentclub = Porto | clubnumber = 10 | youthyears1 = | youthclubs1 = UD Louro Tameiga | youthyears2 = | youthclubs2 = Santa Mariña | youthclubs3 = Celta | years1 = 2019–2021 | clubs1 = Celta B | caps1 = 63 | goals1 = 10 | years2 = 2021–2023 | clubs2 = Celta | caps2 = 50 | goals2 = 11 | years3 = 2023–2025 | clubs3 = Al-Ahli | caps3 = 50 | goals3 = 11 | years4 = 2025– | clubs4 = Porto | caps4 = 31 | goals4 = 3 | nationalyears1 = 2019–2020 | nationalteam1 = Spain U18 | nationalcaps1 = 5 | nationalgoals1 = 2 | nationalyears2 = 2022– | nationalteam2 = Spain U21 | nationalcaps2 = 19 | nationalgoals2 = 3 | medaltemplates = {{Medal|Country|{{fb|ESP}}}} {{MedalCompetition|UEFA European Under-21 Championship}} {{Medal|RU|2023 Georgia–Romania}} | club-update = 23:22, 16 May 2026 (UTC) | nationalteam-update = 17:58, 8 May 2025 (UTC) }}
'''Gabriel Veiga Novas''' ({{IPA|gl|ɡaβɾiˈɛl ˈvɛjɣɐ}}; born 27 May 2002) is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Primeira Liga club Porto.
==Club career==
=== Celta === Veiga was born in O Porriño, Pontevedra, Galicia, and was a RC Celta de Vigo youth graduate. He made his senior debut with the reserves at the age of 17 on 25 August 2019, starting in a 2–2 Segunda División B away draw against Internacional de Madrid.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lavozdegalicia.es/noticia/gradario/2019/08/25/nueva-temporada-nuevo-juvenil-debutando-b/00031566738440567884428.htm|title=Nueva temporada, nuevo juvenil debutando con el B|trans-title=New season, new ''juvenil'' making his debut with the B-team|publisher=La Voz de Galicia|language=es|date=26 August 2019|accessdate=19 September 2020}}</ref>
Veiga scored his first goal on 1 December 2019, netting the opener in a 1–6 loss at CD Atlético Baleares.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lavozdegalicia.es/noticia/gradario/2019/12/02/gol-recuerdo-manana-olvidar/00031575281409439499272.htm|title=Un gol para el recuerdo en una mañana para olvidar|trans-title=A goal to remember in a morning to forget|publisher=La Voz de Galicia|language=es|date=2 December 2019|accessdate=19 September 2020}}</ref> He made his first team – and La Liga – debut on 19 September of the following year, coming on as a late substitute for Renato Tapia in a 2–1 home win against Valencia CF.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://as.com/futbol/2020/09/19/primera/1600547700_509441.html|title=La magia de Aspas tumba al Valencia|trans-title=The magic of Aspas bring down Valencia|publisher=Diario AS|language=es|date=19 September 2020|accessdate=19 September 2020}}</ref>
Veiga scored his first professional goal on 10 September 2022, but in a 4–1 away loss against Atlético Madrid. The following 11 January, he was promoted to the main squad, being assigned the number 24 jersey.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lavozdegalicia.es/noticia/gradario/2023/01/11/gabri-veiga-pasa-tener-ficha-primer-equipo-celta/00031673459249900334770.htm|title=Gabri Veiga pasa a tener ficha del primer equipo del Celta|trans-title=Gabri Veiga starts having a place in Celta's first team|publisher=La Voz de Galicia|language=es|date=11 January 2023|accessdate=31 January 2023}}</ref>
=== Al-Ahli === Despite strong interest from top European clubs including Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Napoli,<ref>{{cite web |last=Romano |first=Fabrizio |author-link=Fabrizio Romano |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/jun/28/manchester-city-liverpool-chelsea-gabri-veiga-celta |title=Manchester City join Liverpool and Chelsea in race for Celta’s Gabri Veiga|publisher=The Guardian|date=28 June 2023|accessdate=26 August 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=26 August 2023 |title=Las razones de Gabri Veiga para irse a jugar a Arabia |url=https://www.marca.com/futbol/futbol-internacional/2023/08/26/64ea158f268e3e512c8b45d4.html |publisher=Marca |language=es}}</ref> on 26 August 2023, Veiga joined Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli, signing a three-year deal,<ref>{{cite tweet |author=Al-Ahli Saudi FC |author-link=Al-Ahli Saudi FC |user=ALAHLI_FCEN |number=1695428300338864497 |date=26 August 2023 |title=Bienvenido, Gabri! 💚 |access-date=26 August 2023}}</ref> after activating his €40m release clause.<ref>{{cite web |date=26 August 2023 |title=Saudi Al-Ahli announced the transfer of the Spanish supertalent |url=https://dailysports.net/news/saudi-alahli-announced-the-transfer-of-the-spanish-supertalent/ |publisher=Dailysports}}</ref> Veiga's decision to reject interest from European clubs in favour of the lucrative contract offer from Saudi Arabia drew criticism from fans, media and fellow players for a perceived lack of sporting ambition.<ref name="Independent">{{Cite web |last=Latham-Coyle |first=Harry |date=24 August 2023 |title=Toni Kroos calls Spanish 21-year-old’s transfer to Saudi Arabia ‘embarrassing’ |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/gabri-veiga-transfer-saudi-arabia-toni-kroos-b2398600.html |website=The Independent}}</ref><ref name="MSN">{{Cite web |date=2023-08-24 |title=‘Embarrassing’: Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos blasts Gabri Veiga Saudi Pro League transfer |url=https://www.msn.com/en-gb/sport/football/embarrassing-real-madrid-star-toni-kroos-blasts-gabri-veiga-saudi-pro-league-transfer/ar-AA1fIuU4 |website=MSN}}</ref> Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos labelled the move as "embarrassing".<ref name="Independent"/>
On 3 May 2025, Veiga was a member of Al-Ahli squad that won the AFC Champions League Elite for the first time in the club's history, defeating Kawasaki Frontale at the final with a score of 2–0.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Lynch |first=Joey |date=3 May 2025 |title=Never taking their eyes off the prize, Al Ahli are champions of Asia at long last |url=https://global.espn.com/football/story/_/id/44984369/never-taking-eyes-prize-al-ahli-champions-asia-long-last |access-date=4 May 2025 |website=ESPN}}</ref>
=== Porto === On 5 June 2025, Veiga joined Primeira Liga club FC Porto for a fee of €15 million, signing a five-year contract with the Portuguese side.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fcporto.pt/pt/noticias/20250605-pt-gabri-veiga-e-dragao-ate-2030|date=5 June 2025|title=GABRI VEIGA É DRAGÃO ATÉ 2030|website=FC Porto|language=pt}}</ref>
He made his debut for the club, starting the match and played 67 minutes before being substituted, in the 0–0 draw in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup against Palmeiras on 15 June.<ref>{{cite news|title=FC Porto empata frente ao Palmeiras na estreia no Mundial de Clubes|url=https://www.ojogo.pt/8588734755/fc-porto-empata-frente-ao-palmeiras-na-estreia-no-mundial-de-clubes/|newspaper=O Jogo|language=pt|date=15 June 2025|access-date=16 June 2025}}</ref>
==International career== Veiga is a Spain youth international. He was called up to Spain U21 for the 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lista de convocados de Selección España para el Europeo Sub-21 |url=https://www.goal.com/es/noticias/lista-de-convocados-de-seleccion-espana-para-el-europeo-sub-21-quienes-son-los-citados-por-santi-denia-y-en-que-equipos-juegan/blt0010b10e6527d600 |website=GOAL España |access-date=9 July 2025|date=8 July 2023 }}</ref> He appeared as a substitute in all six matches of the tournament and later finished as runner-up after Spain 1–0 defeat to England U21 in the final.<ref name="2023 U21 final">{{cite web |title=UEFA Euro U21 final: England vs Spain |url=https://www.uefa.com/under21/match/2036152--england-vs-spain/ |access-date=9 July 2025 |website=UEFA |date=8 July 2023}}</ref>
==Career statistics== === Club === {{updated|match played 16 May 2026}}<ref>{{BDFutbol|26424|access-date=20 February 2021}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|National cup{{efn|Includes Copa del Rey, King's Cup, Taça de Portugal}} !colspan="2"|League cup{{efn|Includes Taça da Liga}} !colspan="2"|Continental !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |rowspan="5"|Celta B |2019–20 |Segunda División B |14||1||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||14||1 |- |2020–21 |Segunda División B |17||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||1{{efn|Appearance in Segunda División B play-offs}}||0||18||0 |- |2021–22 |Primera División RFEF |31||9||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||31||9 |- |2022–23 |Primera Federación |1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||1||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !63!!10!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!1!!0!!64!!10 |- |rowspan="5"|Celta |2020–21 |La Liga |6||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||6||0 |- |2021–22 |La Liga |7||0||3||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||10||0 |- |2022–23 |La Liga |36||11||3||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||39||11 |- |2023–24 |La Liga |1||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||1||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !50!!11!!6!!0!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!colspan="2"|—!!56!!11 |- |rowspan="3"|Al-Ahli |2023–24 |Saudi Pro League |18||4||2||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||20||4 |- |2024–25 |Saudi Pro League |32||7||1||0||colspan="2"|—||12{{efn|Appearances in AFC Champions League Elite}}||1||1{{efn|Appearance in Saudi Super Cup}}||0||46||8 |- !colspan="2"|Total !50!!11!!3!!0!!colspan="2"|—!!12!!1!!1!!0!!66!!12 |- |rowspan="3"|Porto |2024–25 |Primeira Liga |colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||3{{efn|Appearances in FIFA Club World Cup}}||0||3||0 |- |2025–26 |Primeira Liga |31||3||6||0||1||1||10{{efn|Appearances in UEFA Europa League}}||2||colspan="2"|—||48||6 |- !colspan="2"|Total !31!!3!!6!!0!!1!!1!!10!!2!!3!!0!!51!!6 |- !colspan="3"|Career total !194!!35!!15!!0!!1!!1!!22!!3!!5!!0!!237!!39 |} {{notelist}}
==Honours== '''Al-Ahli''' *AFC Champions League Elite: 2024–25<ref name=":0" />
'''Porto''' *Primeira Liga: 2025–26<ref>{{cite web|url=https://portugoal.net/club-news/5694-ten-reasons-porto-are-champions-of-portugal-in-2025-26|title=Seven reasons Sporting are champions of Portugal|publisher=PortuGOAL|first=Tom|last=Kundert|date=2 May 2026|access-date=2 May 2026}}</ref>
'''Spain U21''' *UEFA European Under-21 Championship runner-up: 2023<ref name="2023 U21 final"/>
'''Individual''' *La Liga Team of the Season: 2022–23 *La Liga Player of the Month: February 2023<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.laliga.com/en-GB/news/gabri-veiga-named-laliga-santander-player-of-the-month-for-february|title=Gabri Veiga named LaLiga Santander Player of the Month for February|date=2 March 2023|access-date=5 March 2023|publisher=La Liga}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *[https://rccelta.es/en/jugadores/gabri-veiga/ Profile] at the RC Celta de Vigo website *{{BDFutbol|26424}} *{{Soccerway|gabriel-veiga-novas/627646}}
{{FC Porto squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Veiga, Gabri}} Category:2002 births Category:Living people Category:Spanish men's footballers Category:Footballers from O Porriño Category:Men's association football defenders Category:La Liga players Category:Primera Federación players Category:Segunda División B players Category:Saudi Pro League players Category:RC Celta Fortuna players Category:RC Celta de Vigo players Category:Al-Ahli Saudi FC players Category:Spain men's youth international footballers Category:Spain men's under-21 international footballers Category:Spanish expatriate men's footballers Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Saudi Arabia Category:Spanish expatriate sportspeople in Saudi Arabia Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Portugal Category:Spanish expatriate sportspeople in Portugal Category:21st-century Spanish sportsmen Category:AFC Champions League Elite–winning players Category:FC Porto players Category:Primeira Liga players