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On Thursday, October 31, the former Brazilian defender, Filipe Luis, announced that he would retire from the sport at the end of the ongoing season of the Brasileirao. It would mean that the 38-year-old might turn up for the last time in a Flamengo jersey on Sunday, December 3, against Cuiaba EC at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.
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It was further revealed that if Flamengo reached the last round of the Brasileirao with a chance at winning the league title, then Filipe Luis could end up taking on Sao Paulo at the Cicero Pompeu de Toledo Stadium on Wednesday, December 6. Notably, after 36 matches in the Brasileirao, Flamengo are in fourth place on the points ladder, three points behind the league leaders Palmeiras.
In a video shared on his official Instagram account, Filipe Luis talked about how he wanted to play football until the age of 45, but unfortunately, it won’t be possible. He said, as per the Associated Press, “I promised to myself that I would make the decision to stop if I could not play in a high level. Flamengo deserves someone up to its standards, someone who can play 70 matches a year and fights for a place in the starting team in a fair way.” “I came back to Brazil to play for Flamengo, and since I can't play for Flamengo I would rather retire and start a new challenge,” Luis added.
Watch Filipe Luis making his retirement announcement here:
Filipe Luis won multiple league titles across continents in his illustrious football career
In his illustrious football career, Filipe Luis won the Premier League with Chelsea in his only season at the English club in 2014-15 after securing a La Liga title with Atletico Madrid a season prior. During his current stint with Flamengo, the 38-year-old had a key role in Flamengo taking home two consecutive Brasileirao in 2019 and 2020.
In the Brazilian jersey, Filipe Luis secured the FIFA Confederations Cup in 2013 before the Copa America title in 2019. During his Under-20 days, he was a part of the Brazil team that finished in third place at the FIFA World Youth Championship in 2005.
