A player of tireless approach also known for his tactical awareness,[3] he spent most of his early professional career in Spain, beginning at Deportivo where he spent four seasons. In 2010 he joined Atlético Madrid, and won four trophies including the La Liga championship in 2014. He signed with Chelsea in July of that year for £15.8 million, helping them to both the Premier League and the League Cup, but lack of game time in London saw him return to Atlético a year later, winning the Europa League and Super Cup in his second spell (both in 2018). He then joined Brazilian giants Flamengo as a free agent, where he won a number of honours including the Campeonato Brasilero in 2019, 2020, and the Copa Libertadores in 2019, and 2022.
Filipe Luís made his debut for Brazil in 2009 and went on to earn over 40 caps, representing the nation at the 2013 Confederations Cup, three Copas América and the 2018 World Cup, winning the Confederations Cup as well as the 2019 Copa América. On the 30 November 2023, Filipe Luís announced his retirement from professional football.
Afterwards, Filipe Luís was registered under C.A. Rentistas, who had a partnership with his agent Juan Figer.[8] In August 2005 he was loaned to Real Madrid, spending the entire season with its B team in Segunda División; the move was not made subsequently permanent, after high financial requests from the Uruguayan club.[9]
On 10 June 2008, Filipe Luís was purchased and signed a five-year contract.[13] During his debut season as a Deportivo player, he was the only outfield player in La Liga to appear in all 38 league games, scoring twice.[14][15]
On 23 January 2010, immediately after netting the first in a league game against Athletic Bilbao (an eventual 3–1 home win), Filipe Luís sustained a horrific injury to his right fibula after opposing goalkeeperGorka Iraizoz landed on his leg – again, he had played all matches and minutes during the campaign, and the side stood fourth in the table.[16] Amazingly, he returned to action just four months later, appearing in the second half of the 1–0 home victory over RCD Mallorca and being involved in the play which led to Riki's goal;[17] the Galicians would eventually finish in the tenth position.
Atlético Madrid
Filipe Luís during a match with Atlético Madrid in September 2013
On 23 July 2010, Filipe Luís signed for five years with Atlético Madrid for an undisclosed fee,[18][19] reported to have reached €12[20] or 13.5 million.[21] His official debut came on 26 September at home against Real Zaragoza, where he set up compatriot Diego Costa for the game's only goal, receiving Player of the match accolades.[22]
Filipe Luís made his first appearances in the UEFA Champions League in the 2013–14 edition, helping the Colchoneros secure first place in Group G by scoring once in a 4–0 home rout of FK Austria Wien.[26] During the league campaign, he was part of a stellar backline that only conceded 26 goals in 38 games[27] as Atlético won the league title for the first time in 18 years. Additionally, he took part in ten matches in the Champions League, including the 1–4 final loss to Real Madrid in Lisbon,[28] being subsequently voted the best defender in the Spanish League alongside teammate Miranda and Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos.[29]
Chelsea
On 16 July 2014, Chelsea and Atlético agreed a fee of £15.8 million for the transfer of Filipe Luís, subject to personal terms.[30][31][32] The player ultimately signed a three-year contract two days later, stating upon his arrival, "This move is a dream come true for me. I now have the opportunity to play for Chelsea, and also in the Premier League. I'm very happy and looking forward to getting started and giving my best for the team during the coming seasons."[33]
Filipe Luís in action for Chelsea against Maribor (2014)
Filipe Luís made his debut in a pre-season friendly against Wolfsberger AC, on 23 July 2014.[34] His squad number was confirmed as 3, replacing Ashley Cole who had just moved to A.S. Roma.[35] In his new team's first match of the league season, away to Burnley, he was an unused substitute, with César Azpilicueta playing at left back;[36] he later expressed that he was content to be second choice behind his teammate if they were playing well, comparing his situation to the team's experienced goalkeeper Petr Čech, who had been benched for Thibaut Courtois.[37]
Filipe Luís made his league debut in the third round, featuring the last seven minutes of a 6–3 win at Everton in place of Eden Hazard on 30 August 2014.[38] He started for the first time on 17 September, playing the entirety of a 1–1 home draw against FC Schalke 04 in the first group stage game;[39] with Azpilicueta suspended, he received his first start on 26 October, a 1–1 draw away to Manchester United.[40]
On 28 July 2015, Filipe Luís re-joined Atlético Madrid on a four-year deal for an undisclosed fee.[44] He made his return to the team on 22 August as they opened the season with a 1–0 home victory against newly promoted UD Las Palmas.[45] In the 3–0 win in the reverse fixture the following 17 January, he scored his first goal since returning.[46][47]
On 30 January 2016, Filipe Luís was sent off in the first half of a 1–2 loss at FC Barcelona for a challenge on Lionel Messi, and teammate Diego Godín was later also dismissed. The duo escaped criticism by manager Diego Simeone,[48] but Filipe Luís was subsequently handed a three-match ban.[49] He continued being an undisputed starter during his spell at the Vicente Calderón Stadium.[50]
In March 2018, after a collision with FC Lokomotiv Moscow's Eder in a Europa League tie, Filipe Luís broke the fibula in his left leg, initially being thought to miss the rest of the season and thus the 2018 FIFA World Cup[51] but making a recovery in two months.[52] He ended his second stint at Atlético upon the expiration of his contract, on 30 June 2019.[53]
Flamengo
On 23 July 2019, Filipe Luís returned to Brazil and signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with Flamengo.[54] On 30 November 2023, Filipe Luís announced his retirement after the end of the season.[55] On 6 December 2023, after the final round of 2023 Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, Filipe Luís retired from professional football.[56]
Coaching career
Early coaching career
On 18 January 2024, Filipe Luís became the head coach of the under-17 team of his last club Flamengo.[57] On 13 June 2024, he was promoted to the under-20 squad, replacing departed Mário Jorge, who left the club to take charge of Saudi Arabia U17 national team.[58]
Just over a month after taking charge of the under-20 squad he managed the team to win his first title as head coach. On 24 August 2024, Flamengo played against Olympiacos in the 2024 Under-20 Intercontinental Cup beating the Greek team 2–1 in a thrilling match decided in the injury time.[59]
Flamengo
On 30 September 2024, after the dismissal of Tite, Filipe Luís was named interim head coach of Flamengo's first team until the end of the season.[60] The following day, however, he was presented as head coach with a contract until the end of 2025.[61][62] He officially debuted on 2 October 2024, against Corinthians in the first leg of the 2024 Copa do Brasil semi-finals, Flamengo won 2–0.[63]
In 2024, Filipe Luís won his first title as Flamengo head coach by defeating Atlético Mineiro in the final of the Copa do Brasil.[64]
International career
Filipe Luís heading a ball for Brazil against Austria, in 2014
On 7 August 2009, Filipe Luís was called up by Brazil for the first time, replacing injured Marcelo for a friendly against Estonia but eventually not leaving the bench in the 1–0 away win, on 12 August. He made his debut in a 2010 FIFA World Cupqualifier against Venezuela, on 15 October.[65]
Filipe Luís was selected in the squad which won the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup on home soil,[66] although he did not enter the field during the competition. He was one of seven players put on standby for the 2014 World Cup,[67] but did not make the final cut.
On 17 November 2015, Filipe Luís scored his first goal for Brazil in a 3–0 defeat of Peru for the 2018 World Cup qualification held in Salvador, Bahia.[71] In May 2018, he was named in Tite's 23-man squad for the finals in Russia,[72] making his debut in the competition on 27 June when he replaced the injured Marcelo in the early minutes of the 2–0 group stage win against Serbia.[73]
In May 2019, Filipe Luís was included in the 23-man squad for the 2019 Copa América on home soil.[74] In the quarter-final match against Paraguay on 27 June, he was replaced by Alex Sandro at half-time after suffering an injury, as his team advanced to the next stage after winning 4–3 on penalties;[75] they subsequently went on to win the title, following a 3–1 win over Peru in the final at the Maracanã Stadium.[76]
Personal life
All four of Filipe Luís' grandparents were European immigrants, who came to Santa Catarina. His paternal grandfather left Poland during World War I.[7] He is also of Italian ancestry.[77]
In 2014, Filipe Luís' second child, a daughter named Sara, was born.[78] He also fathered a son the previous year, Tiago.[79]
Career statistics
Club
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[80][81]
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