Galician Derby
Filipe Luís: Brazilian left-back who won La Liga with Atlético Madrid, Premier League with Chelsea, and multiple titles with Flamengo.
Filipe Luís Kasmirski (born 9 August 1985) is a Brazilian football manager and former player who is the head coach of Ligue 1 club Monaco. A left back of tireless approach also known for his tactical awareness, 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 30 November 2023, Filipe Luís announced his retirement from playing.
Quick Facts
- Primary league
- La Liga
Lore & Background
Filipe Luís was born in Jaraguá do Sul, Santa Catarina. Coming from Figueirense as an attacking midfielder, he had his first taste of European football with Ajax in 2004, spending one full season in the Beloften Eredivisie with the reserves. He was called up for the first team twice by manager Danny Blind for an Eredivisie match against Den Bosch and a UEFA Cup game against Auxerre, but remained on the bench for both fixtures. Afterwards, he was registered under Rentistas, who had a partnership with his agent Juan Figer.
In August 2005, he was loaned to Real Madrid, spending the entire season with its B team in Segunda División. He joined Deportivo La Coruña in August 2006, with a buyout clause of $2.2 million. After first-choice Joan Capdevila's departure to Villarreal, he established himself as first-choice left-back. On 10 June 2008, he was purchased and signed a five-year contract.
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. On 23 January 2010, he sustained a horrific injury to his right fibula after opposing goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz landed on his leg. He returned to action just four months later. On 23 July 2010, he signed for five years with Atlético Madrid for an undisclosed fee, reported to have reached €12 or 13.5 million.
He helped Atlético win the league title for the first time in 18 years in 2013–14. He then moved to Chelsea, returning to Atlético a year later. He ended his second stint at Atlético upon the expiration of his contract, on 30 June 2019. On 23 July 2019, he signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with Flamengo. On 30 November 2023, he announced his retirement after the end of the season.
Reader's Guide
The article is solely about Filipe Luís Kasmirski's career, including his time at Deportivo La Coruña and Atlético Madrid. No information about a derby between Atlético Madrid and RC Celta de Vigo is provided.
Did You Know?
- He spent one full season with Ajax's reserves in the Beloften Eredivisie in 2004.
- He was voted the best defender in the Spanish League in 2013–14 alongside teammate Miranda and Real Madrid's Sergio Ramos.
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