Gabriel Veiga Novas (; 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.
Veiga scored his first goal on 1 December 2019, netting the opener in a 1–6 loss at CD Atlético Baleares. 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.
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.
Al-Ahli Despite strong interest from top European clubs including Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Napoli, on 26 August 2023, Veiga joined Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli, signing a three-year deal, after activating his €40m release clause. 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. Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos labelled the move as "embarrassing".
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.
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.
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.
International career Veiga is a Spain youth international. He was called up to Spain U21 for the 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship. 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.
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsCelta B2019–20Segunda División B141————1412020–21Segunda División B170———101802021–22Primera División RFEF319————3192022–23Primera Federación10————10Total6310———106410Celta2020–21La Liga6000———602021–22La Liga7030———1002022–23La Liga361130———39112023–24La Liga1000———10Total501160———5611Al-Ahli2023–24Saudi Pro League18420———2042024–25Saudi Pro League32710—12110468Total501130—121106612Porto2024–25Primeira Liga————30302025–26Primeira Liga3136011102—4862026–27Primeira Liga740000101094Total3876011112406010Career total20139150112336024643
Honours Al-Ahli AFC Champions League Elite: 2024–25
Porto Primeira Liga: 2025–26 Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira: 2026
Spain U21 UEFA European Under-21 Championship runner-up: 2023
Individual La Liga Team of the Season: 2022–23 La Liga Player of the Month: February 2023 Primeira Liga Player of the Month: August 2026
References
External links Profile at the RC Celta de Vigo website