FILIPE LUIS has announced his retirement from professional football aged 38.
The former Chelsea defender is set to play his final game on Sunday.
GettyFormer Chelsea defender Filipe Luis has announced his retirement aged 38[/caption]
Luis spent a single season in England, winning the Premier League with the Blues in 2014/15.
He has since enjoyed tremendous success since returning to his native Brazil with Flamengo in 2019.
During that time Luis has won eight trophies, including two league titles and the Copa Libertadores twice.
Luis has revealed he wanted to play until he was 45 but admitted “unfortunately that is not possible”.
In a statement released on Flamengo’s social media channels, he said: “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.”
His final game is set for Sunday’s home clash with Cuiaba, where he will say goodbye to the club’s fans.
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GettyHe won the Premier League with Chelsea in 2015[/caption]
Flamengo go into the match fourth in the Brazilian Serie A with two matches remaining, trailing leaders Palmeiras by three points.
Luis made 26 appearances for Chelsea during the 2014/15 season, scoring once from full-back.
He has also scored twice in 44 caps for Brazil, for whom he played at the 2018 World Cup and won the Copa America a year later.
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