Felipe Baloy
Encyclopedia
Felipe Abdiel Baloy Ramírez (born February 24, 1981, in Panama City
) is a football
defender who currently plays in Mexico
for Primera División de México
team Santos Laguna
and is the current captain of the Panama national football team
.
. He was the second youngest of his seven brothers and grew in the populous barrio of Cerro Batea in the San Miguelito
district after moving from another barrio called San Martin. Pipe grew interest in football
after playing in the streets with his friends.
Baloy graduated from both elementary and high school, but never went to university, due to his decision to pursue his career in football
where "things have been going well".
career in ANAPROF
team Eurokickers F.C., however his spell only lasted a year since the team was relegated that year. He then moved to Sporting '89
and managed to be part of the Panama's U-20
squad where he was spotted by Colombian
international representative Luis Felipe Posso signed Pipe to his agency and open the doors for Baloy in Colombia
.
in 2001. He played a year with the Antioquia side before moving to Independiente Medellín
. With the Medellín
side he had more success, he played in Copa Libertadores in 2003
where DIM finished 3rd. After 2003 his spell in Colombia
was about to end after he was signed by Brazil
ian side Grêmio
.
with Grêmio
where he played the 2003
and Campeonato Brasileiro Série A 2004
season in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A
. With Grêmio
Baloy had rough times, after finishing 20th in the 2003
championship and 24th (relegation) Campeonato Brasileiro Série A 2004
Baloy was signed by Clube Atlético Paranaense
. However he participated in Copa Sudamericana
with the Porto Alegre
side in the 2004 season, but never made it past the first round. Baloy was also made captain in Grêmio
despite his young age.
In Clube Atlético Paranaense
Baloy had little more success after finishing 6th in the 2005
season and playing on the side that finished runner-up in the 2005
season. However Baloy did not play the final because he was signed by Monterrey
and had to depart to Mexico
. He was also captain of the Curitiba
side.
to play to Monterrey
in the Primera División de México
, he debuted on July 30, 2005 in the 1-2 C.F. Pachuca. However Baloy had trouble at first with the Mexican
fans due to the fact that he was taking the place of the fan favourite Argentine
Defender Pablo Rotchen
. After a couple of good performances, Baloy was then favoured by the fanbase.
In 2005 Pipe had a good start with Rayados where in the 2005 Apertura finished runner-up. However after that season, Baloy and the Monterrey were passing through a hard time where they have not been at the same competitive level they were before. However, Baloy manages to figure in the team and has been called numerous times one of the best defenders in Mexico.
In 2007 Baloy played in the 2007
season of the Copa Libertadores after he was loaned out to Club América
for that competition.
In the recent years Baloy has been linked many times with clubs in Europe, recently in the 2007 winter transfer window he was pretended by Premier League side Derby County F.C.
, however the move never happened. In 2008 he was linked to also Premier League side Arsenal F.C.
.
On the 2009 Apertura
of the Mexican championship
Baloy and Monterrey were crowned champions after defeating Cruz Azul in a 6-4 aggregate score. Baloy became the first Panamanian player to ever win the Mexican first division championship. Pipe was nominated that year for the Mexican Golden Ball as best defender of the year, but came in second behind his team mate Duilio Davino
.
Shortly after winning the championship, Baloy made a surprise move to Santos Laguna,. That way ending a 4 year spell in Monterrey where he played 145 times and scored 10 goals in the Mexican championship
.
squad which attempted to qualify to the 2001
FIFA World Youth Championship in Argentina
. However, Baloy never managed to qualify to the World Cup even though the team was considered as one of Panama's best. He played alongside José Luis Garcés
, Luis Tejada
, Jaime Penedo
among others.
In the senior team he made his debut on February 21, 2001 in the 2-2 tie with Guatemala
. Pipe has played more than 70 representing Panama
participating in the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification
. He is currently the captain of the national team. He was also part of the 2005
and 2007
CONCACAF Gold Cup
Best XI. He also was part of the side that finished runner-up on both 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup
and UNCAF Nations Cup 2007
.
with this family. He also holds a close friendship with fellow Panama national team mates Blas Perez
and Gabriel Gomez
.
Panama City
Panama is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Panama. It has a population of 880,691, with a total metro population of 1,272,672, and it is located at the Pacific entrance of the Panama Canal, in the province of the same name. The city is the political and administrative center of the...
) is a football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
defender who currently plays in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
for Primera División de México
Primera División de México
The Primera División Profesional , known simply as the Primera División, is the top level of the Mexican football league system and is administered by the Mexican Football Federation. It was established in 1943 and as of 2011 has 18 clubs. Up to June 2011, it was divided into three groups competing...
team Santos Laguna
Santos Laguna
Club Santos Laguna is a Mexican football club. They represent the urban area of Comarca Lagunera, which is made up of Torreón, Gomez Palacio, and Lerdo. Santos Laguna currently plays in the Primera División. The club was founded in 1982, and reached Mexico's top division after buying the franchise...
and is the current captain of the Panama national football team
Panama national football team
The Panama national football team is the national team of Panama and is controlled by the Panamanian Football Federation. Panama reached the 2006 World Cup CONCACAF Final Round in the qualifiers and finished as runners-up at the final game of the 2005 Gold Cup...
.
Early life
Baloy was born in Panama CityPanama City
Panama is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Panama. It has a population of 880,691, with a total metro population of 1,272,672, and it is located at the Pacific entrance of the Panama Canal, in the province of the same name. The city is the political and administrative center of the...
. He was the second youngest of his seven brothers and grew in the populous barrio of Cerro Batea in the San Miguelito
San Miguelito, Panamá
San Miguelito District is a district of Panamá Province in Panama. The population according to the 2000 census was 293,745.The district covers a total area of 50 km²...
district after moving from another barrio called San Martin. Pipe grew interest in football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
after playing in the streets with his friends.
Baloy graduated from both elementary and high school, but never went to university, due to his decision to pursue his career in football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
where "things have been going well".
Early career
At the age of 18, he started his footballFootball (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
career in ANAPROF
ANAPROF
The Liga Panameña de Fútbol is the top football league in Panama. Until 2009, the league was named Asociación Nacional Pro Fútbol .-Format:...
team Eurokickers F.C., however his spell only lasted a year since the team was relegated that year. He then moved to Sporting '89
Sporting '89
Academia de Futbol Sporting San Miguelito is a Panamanian football team playing at the first level, Liga Profesional de Fútbol. It is based in San Miguelito and was founded in 1989 by Cesar Morales as Sporting '89....
and managed to be part of the Panama's U-20
Panama national football team
The Panama national football team is the national team of Panama and is controlled by the Panamanian Football Federation. Panama reached the 2006 World Cup CONCACAF Final Round in the qualifiers and finished as runners-up at the final game of the 2005 Gold Cup...
squad where he was spotted by Colombian
Colombian people
Colombian people are from a multiethnic Spanish speaking nation in South America called Colombia. Colombians are predominantly Roman Catholic and are a mixture of Europeans, Africans, and Amerindians.-Demography:...
international representative Luis Felipe Posso signed Pipe to his agency and open the doors for Baloy in Colombia
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
.
Colombia
At the age of 19 Baloy moved to Colombia to play for Copa Mustang team Envigado Fútbol ClubEnvigado Fútbol Club
Envigado Fútbol Club is a Colombian football club based in the metropolitan Medellín of Envigado. The club was founded October 14, 1989 and plays its home games at the Estadio Polideportivo Sur stadium, which has a capacity of approximately 12,000 seats....
in 2001. He played a year with the Antioquia side before moving to Independiente Medellín
Independiente Medellín
Corporación Deportiva Independiente Medellín is a professional Colombian football team competing in Fútbol Profesional Colombiano, the Colombian first division. The club is based in the city of Medellín and founded in 1913. It has won the league's national tournament known as Copa Mustang five...
. With the Medellín
Medellín
Medellín , officially the Municipio de Medellín or Municipality of Medellín, is the second largest city in Colombia. It is in the Aburrá Valley, one of the more northerly of the Andes in South America. It has a population of 2.3 million...
side he had more success, he played in Copa Libertadores in 2003
Copa Libertadores 2003
The 2003 Copa Libertadores de América was the 44th edition of the Copa Libertadores, CONMEBOL's premier annual international club tournament....
where DIM finished 3rd. After 2003 his spell in Colombia
Colombia
Colombia, officially the Republic of Colombia , is a unitary constitutional republic comprising thirty-two departments. The country is located in northwestern South America, bordered to the east by Venezuela and Brazil; to the south by Ecuador and Peru; to the north by the Caribbean Sea; to the...
was about to end after he was signed by Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
ian side Grêmio
Grêmio Foot-Ball Porto Alegrense
Grêmio Foot-Ball Porto Alegrense, commonly known as just Grêmio , is a Brazilian professional association football team based in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul founded by English and German immigrants on September 15, 1903. Major titles captured by Grêmio include one Intercontinental Cup, two Copa...
.
Brazil
Baloy started his career in BrazilBrazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
with Grêmio
Grêmio Foot-Ball Porto Alegrense
Grêmio Foot-Ball Porto Alegrense, commonly known as just Grêmio , is a Brazilian professional association football team based in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul founded by English and German immigrants on September 15, 1903. Major titles captured by Grêmio include one Intercontinental Cup, two Copa...
where he played the 2003
Campeonato Brasileiro Série A 2003
The 33rd season of the Campeonato Brasileiro began on March 29, 2003, and reached its end on December 14, 2003. The competition was won by Cruzeiro Esporte Clube.-Format:...
and Campeonato Brasileiro Série A 2004
Campeonato Brasileiro Série A 2004
The Campeonato Brasileiro of 2004 was won by Santos, coached by Vanderlei Luxemburgo.Runners-up were Atlético Paranaense, which led the competition for 11 weeks and lost the title in the penultimate round...
season in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A
Campeonato Brasileiro Série A
The Campeonato Brasileiro de Clubes da Série A , popularly known as the Brasileirão , is a professional football league at the top of the Brazilian football league system held annually since 1959. Contested by twenty clubs, it operates a system of promotion and relegation with the Série B...
. With Grêmio
Grêmio Foot-Ball Porto Alegrense
Grêmio Foot-Ball Porto Alegrense, commonly known as just Grêmio , is a Brazilian professional association football team based in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul founded by English and German immigrants on September 15, 1903. Major titles captured by Grêmio include one Intercontinental Cup, two Copa...
Baloy had rough times, after finishing 20th in the 2003
Campeonato Brasileiro Série A 2003
The 33rd season of the Campeonato Brasileiro began on March 29, 2003, and reached its end on December 14, 2003. The competition was won by Cruzeiro Esporte Clube.-Format:...
championship and 24th (relegation) Campeonato Brasileiro Série A 2004
Campeonato Brasileiro Série A 2004
The Campeonato Brasileiro of 2004 was won by Santos, coached by Vanderlei Luxemburgo.Runners-up were Atlético Paranaense, which led the competition for 11 weeks and lost the title in the penultimate round...
Baloy was signed by Clube Atlético Paranaense
Clube Atlético Paranaense
Clube Atlético Paranaense is a Brazilian football team from Curitiba in Paraná, founded on March 26, 1924. The club won the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A in 2001.-History:...
. However he participated in Copa Sudamericana
Copa Sudamericana
The Copa Bridgestone Sudamericana de Clubes , known simply as the Copa Sudamericana , is an annual international club football competition organized by the CONMEBOL since 2002. It is the second most prestigious club competition in South American football. CONCACAF clubs were invited between 2004...
with the Porto Alegre
Porto Alegre
Porto Alegre is the tenth most populous municipality in Brazil, with 1,409,939 inhabitants, and the centre of Brazil's fourth largest metropolitan area . It is also the capital city of the southernmost Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul. The city is the southernmost capital city of a Brazilian...
side in the 2004 season, but never made it past the first round. Baloy was also made captain in Grêmio
Grêmio Foot-Ball Porto Alegrense
Grêmio Foot-Ball Porto Alegrense, commonly known as just Grêmio , is a Brazilian professional association football team based in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul founded by English and German immigrants on September 15, 1903. Major titles captured by Grêmio include one Intercontinental Cup, two Copa...
despite his young age.
In Clube Atlético Paranaense
Clube Atlético Paranaense
Clube Atlético Paranaense is a Brazilian football team from Curitiba in Paraná, founded on March 26, 1924. The club won the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A in 2001.-History:...
Baloy had little more success after finishing 6th in the 2005
Campeonato Brasileiro Série A 2005
Corinthians won the 35th edition of the Brazilian national championship, claiming their fourth national title. The season officially kicked off on April 23, 2005 and concluded on December 4.-Champion and contenders:...
season and playing on the side that finished runner-up in the 2005
Copa Libertadores 2005
The 2005 Copa Libertadores was the 46th edition of the Copa Libertadores. The champion also qualified for the 2005 FIFA Club World Championship....
season. However Baloy did not play the final because he was signed by Monterrey
Club de Fútbol Monterrey
The Club de Fútbol Monterrey is a Mexican football club from Monterrey, Nuevo León, and the current champion of the CONCACAF Champions League. Founded on June 28, 1945, it is the oldest active team in the professional division from the northern part of Mexico....
and had to depart to Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
. He was also captain of the Curitiba
Curitiba
Curitiba is the capital of the Brazilian state of Paraná. It is the largest city with the biggest economy of both Paraná and southern Brazil. The population of Curitiba numbers approximately 1.75 million people and the latest GDP figures for the city surpass US$61 billion according to...
side.
Mexico
Baloy arrived in 2005 to MexicoMexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
to play to Monterrey
Club de Fútbol Monterrey
The Club de Fútbol Monterrey is a Mexican football club from Monterrey, Nuevo León, and the current champion of the CONCACAF Champions League. Founded on June 28, 1945, it is the oldest active team in the professional division from the northern part of Mexico....
in the Primera División de México
Primera División de México
The Primera División Profesional , known simply as the Primera División, is the top level of the Mexican football league system and is administered by the Mexican Football Federation. It was established in 1943 and as of 2011 has 18 clubs. Up to June 2011, it was divided into three groups competing...
, he debuted on July 30, 2005 in the 1-2 C.F. Pachuca. However Baloy had trouble at first with the Mexican
Mexican people
Mexican people refers to all persons from Mexico, a multiethnic country in North America, and/or who identify with the Mexican cultural and/or national identity....
fans due to the fact that he was taking the place of the fan favourite Argentine
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
Defender Pablo Rotchen
Pablo Rotchen
Pablo Oscar Rotchen Suárez is a retired Argentine football defender who played for the Argentina national team in Copa América 1997....
. After a couple of good performances, Baloy was then favoured by the fanbase.
In 2005 Pipe had a good start with Rayados where in the 2005 Apertura finished runner-up. However after that season, Baloy and the Monterrey were passing through a hard time where they have not been at the same competitive level they were before. However, Baloy manages to figure in the team and has been called numerous times one of the best defenders in Mexico.
In 2007 Baloy played in the 2007
Copa Libertadores 2007
The 2007 Copa Libertadores de América was the 48th edition of the Copa Libertadores. It started on January 24, 2007 and finished on June 20, 2007...
season of the Copa Libertadores after he was loaned out to Club América
Club América
Club América is a Mexican Professional football club based in Mexico City. It competes in the Primera División, the top professional league in the country. The team's nickname is Las Águilas ....
for that competition.
In the recent years Baloy has been linked many times with clubs in Europe, recently in the 2007 winter transfer window he was pretended by Premier League side Derby County F.C.
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
, however the move never happened. In 2008 he was linked to also Premier League side Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal F.C.
Arsenal Football Club is a professional English Premier League football club based in North London. One of the most successful clubs in English football, it has won 13 First Division and Premier League titles and 10 FA Cups...
.
On the 2009 Apertura
2009–10 Primera División de México season
The 2009–10 Primera División de México season is the 63rd professional season of Mexico's top-flight football league, and 13th season in which the Apertura and Clausura system is used...
of the Mexican championship
Primera División de México
The Primera División Profesional , known simply as the Primera División, is the top level of the Mexican football league system and is administered by the Mexican Football Federation. It was established in 1943 and as of 2011 has 18 clubs. Up to June 2011, it was divided into three groups competing...
Baloy and Monterrey were crowned champions after defeating Cruz Azul in a 6-4 aggregate score. Baloy became the first Panamanian player to ever win the Mexican first division championship. Pipe was nominated that year for the Mexican Golden Ball as best defender of the year, but came in second behind his team mate Duilio Davino
Duilio Davino
Duilio César Jean Pierre Davino Rodríguez is a Mexican football defender who plays for Estudiantes Tecos of the Primera Division de Mexico....
.
Shortly after winning the championship, Baloy made a surprise move to Santos Laguna,. That way ending a 4 year spell in Monterrey where he played 145 times and scored 10 goals in the Mexican championship
Primera División de México
The Primera División Profesional , known simply as the Primera División, is the top level of the Mexican football league system and is administered by the Mexican Football Federation. It was established in 1943 and as of 2011 has 18 clubs. Up to June 2011, it was divided into three groups competing...
.
International career
Baloy played in the Panama U-20Panama national football team
The Panama national football team is the national team of Panama and is controlled by the Panamanian Football Federation. Panama reached the 2006 World Cup CONCACAF Final Round in the qualifiers and finished as runners-up at the final game of the 2005 Gold Cup...
squad which attempted to qualify to the 2001
2001 FIFA World Youth Championship
The 2001 FIFA World Youth Championship took place in Argentina between June 17 and July 8, 2001. The 2001 championship was the 13th contested. The tournament took part in six cities, Buenos Aires, Córdoba, Mendoza, Rosario, Salta, and Mar del Plata...
FIFA World Youth Championship in Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
. However, Baloy never managed to qualify to the World Cup even though the team was considered as one of Panama's best. He played alongside José Luis Garcés
Jose Luis Garces
José Luis Garcés is a Panamanian footballer that currently plays for Liga Panamena de Futbol team San Francisco FC-Club career:...
, Luis Tejada
Luis Tejada
Luis "Matador" Tejada is a Panamanian professional association football striker. He currently plays for Juan Aurich of the Peruvian Primera División and the Panamanian national team.-Club career:...
, Jaime Penedo
Jaime Penedo
Jaime Penedo is a Panamanian football goalkeeper who currently plays for Liga Nacional de Guatemala team CSD Municipal-Club career:Back in Panamá, he used to play for Árabe Unido...
among others.
In the senior team he made his debut on February 21, 2001 in the 2-2 tie with Guatemala
Guatemala national football team
The Guatemala national football team is the association football team representing the country of Guatemala and is controlled by the Federación Nacional de Fútbol de Guatemala. Founded in 1919, it affiliated to FIFA in 1946, and it is a member of CONCACAF....
. Pipe has played more than 70 representing Panama
Panama national football team
The Panama national football team is the national team of Panama and is controlled by the Panamanian Football Federation. Panama reached the 2006 World Cup CONCACAF Final Round in the qualifiers and finished as runners-up at the final game of the 2005 Gold Cup...
participating in the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification
2006 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONCACAF)
Listed below are the dates and results for the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification rounds for North, Central America and the Caribbean. A total of 34 teams took part , competing for 3.5 places in the World Cup.The qualification process was divided in three stages...
. He is currently the captain of the national team. He was also part of the 2005
2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup
The 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup was the eighth edition of the Gold Cup, the football championship of North America, Central America and the Caribbean . It was contested in the United States in July 2005. The United States emerged victorious in the final against an upstart Panama team led by tournament...
and 2007
2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup
The 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup was the ninth edition of the Gold Cup, the football championship of North America, Central America and the Caribbean , and was won by the United States over Mexico. It was contested in the United States from June 6 to June 24, 2007.This competition was the third...
CONCACAF Gold Cup
CONCACAF Gold Cup
The CONCACAF Gold Cup is the main association football competition of the men's national football teams governed by CONCACAF, determining the regional champion of North America, Central America, and the Caribbean.The Gold Cup is held every two years and when it does not fall the same year as an...
Best XI. He also was part of the side that finished runner-up on both 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup
2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup
The 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup was the eighth edition of the Gold Cup, the football championship of North America, Central America and the Caribbean . It was contested in the United States in July 2005. The United States emerged victorious in the final against an upstart Panama team led by tournament...
and UNCAF Nations Cup 2007
UNCAF Nations Cup 2007
-Scorers:4 goals Wilmer Velasquez3 goals Eliseo Quintanilla Emilio Palacios Saul Martinez Rolando Fonseca2 goals Deon Mccauley Samuel Wilson1 goal Leonardo González Harold Wallace Kurt Bernard Juan Alberto Diaz Claudio Albizuris Gustavo Cabrera Milton Bustas Emil Martinez Carlos Will Mejia Alberto...
.
Personal life
Felipe Baloy is married and has two children. He currently lives in MexicoMexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
with this family. He also holds a close friendship with fellow Panama national team mates Blas Perez
Blas Perez
Blas Antonio Miguel Pérez Ortega is a professional footballer who currently plays for Indios de Ciudad Juárez. He is nicknamed Super Ratón. He is a distant cousin to Portland Timbers midfielder Miguel Guante....
and Gabriel Gomez
Gabriel Enrique Gómez
Gabriel Enrique Gómez Giron is a Panamanian footballer who plays for Indios de Ciudad Juárez as a defensive midfielder.-Club career:...
.
Quotes
- "I still can remember my first years. I was mischievous. I did things that would anger my mother and other people, but what I remember the most is that in those days at 6 a.m. where the Torneos de Barrios (District Tournaments), and at that time I was in the field. I was the first to arrive and the last to leave" Baloy in his biography in his website