Felipe Baloy

Felipe Abdiel Baloy Ramírez (born 24 February 1981) is a Panamanian former professional footballer who played as a defender. He scored Panama’s first ever goal in a FIFA World Cup, against England at the 2018 edition.

This article uses Spanish naming customs: the first or paternal family name is Baloy and the second or maternal family name is Ramírez.

Felipe Baloy
Baloy with Santos Laguna in 2012
Personal information
Full name Felipe Abdiel Baloy Ramírez
Date of birth (1981-02-24) 24 February 1981
Place of birth Panama City, Panama
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)[1]
Playing position(s) Defender
Youth career
Euro Kickers
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1999 Euro Kickers 25 (3)
2000 Sporting '89 30 (4)
2001–2002 Envigado 37 (3)
2003 Independiente Medellín 9 (0)
2003–2004 Grêmio 50 (3)
2005 Atlético Paranaense 5 (0)
2005–2009 Monterrey 145 (10)
2010–2013 Santos Laguna 125 (4)
2014–2016 Morelia 13 (0)
2015–2016 → Atlas (loan) 19 (2)
2016–2017 Rionegro Águilas 13 (0)
2017 Tauro 5 (2)
2017–2018 Municipal 19 (1)
Total 495 (32)
National team
2001–2018 Panama 102 (4)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only

Early life

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 the San Martin barrio. Pipe grew interested in football after playing in the streets with his friends.

Baloy graduated from elementary and high school, never continued on to university, and instead pursued his career in football where "things have been going well".[2]

Club career

Early career

At aged 18, he started his football career in ANAPROF team Eurokickers, although it lasted only a year as the team was relegated that year. He then moved to Sporting '89 and managed to be part of the Panama U-20 squad where he was spotted by Colombian international representative Luis Felipe Posso, was signed to his agency and the doors opened for Baloy in Colombia.

Colombia

At aged 19, Baloy moved to Colombia to play for Copa Mustang team Envigado in 2001. He played a year with the Antioquia before moving to Independiente Medellín. With the Medellín he had more success; he played in Copa Libertadores in 2003 where DIM finished 3rd. After 2003, he was signed by Brazil's Grêmio.

Brazil

Baloy started his career in Brazil with Grêmio where he played the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A 2003-2004 season. He Finished 20th (2003) and 24th (2004). Baloy was signed by Clube Atlético Paranaense but he was in 2004 with Porto Alegre; they were eliminated in the first round. Baloy was also made captain in Grêmio despite his youth.

In Clube Atlético Paranaense, Baloy had some success after finishing 6th in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A 2005 and playing on the side that finished runner-up in the Copa Libertadores 2005. 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.

Mexico

Baloy arrived in 2005 to Mexico to play to Monterrey in the Primera División (First Division), he debuted on 30 July 2005 in the 1–2 C.F. Pachuca match. However Baloy had to settle in with the Mexican fans since he was replacing a fan favourite, the Argentine Defender Pablo Rotchen. After a couple of good performances, Baloy gained fan favour.
In 2005, Pipe had a good start with Rayados where in the 2005 Apertura they finished runner-up. After that season, Monterrey were not at the same competitive level as they were before; but Baloy managed to figure in the team and has been called at numerous times one of the best defenders in Mexico.

In 2007, Baloy played in the 2007 Copa Libertadores after he was loaned out to Club América for that competition.

In recent years Baloy has been linked many times with clubs in Europe. In the 2007 winter transfer window he was pretended by Premier League side Derby County, however the move never happened. In 2008, he was linked to Premier League side Arsenal.[3]

On the 2009 Apertura, Baloy and Monterrey were crowned champions after defeating Cruz Azul in a 6–4 aggregate score.[4] Baloy became the first Panamanian-born player to ever win the Mexican First Division championship.[5] Pipe was nominated that year for the Mexican Golden Ball as best defender of the year,[6] but came in second behind his team mate Duilio Davino.[7]

Shortly after winning the championship, Baloy made a surprise move to Santos Laguna.[8][9] That ended a four-year spell in Monterrey where he played 145 times and scored 10 goals.[10]

On 14 December 2013 it was announced Baloy was sold to Monarcas Morelia.[11]

International career

Baloy scored Panama's first and only goal, so far, for the team in the World Cup. He captained the Panama national team for many years including in Russia 2018. He played alongside José Luis Garcés, Luis Tejada, Jaime Penedo among others.

As youngster, Baloy played in the Panama U-20 squad which attempted to qualify to the 2001 FIFA World Youth Championship in Argentina. He made his senior debut for Panama in a May 2001 UNCAF Nations Cup match against Honduras and has, as of 17 November 2017, earned a total of 100 caps, scoring 3 goals.[12] Pipe has represented Panama participating in the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification. He was also part of the 2005 and 2007[13] CONCACAF Gold Cup Best XI. He also was part of the side that finished runner-up on both 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup[14] and UNCAF Nations Cup 2007.

In May 2018 he was named in Panama’s preliminary 35 man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.[15] He figured in the final squad later on. On 24 June 2018, Baloy scored the first Panama goal in a World Cup match in the 1–6 loss against England.[16][17] He retired from international football after Russia 2018. In Russia he became the oldest debutante to score in a World Cup match.

International goals
Scores and results list Panama's goal tally first.[18]
#DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
1.17 November 2004Estadio Rommel Fernández, Panama City, Panama El Salvador
2–0
3–0
2006 FIFA World Cup qualification
2.16 February 2007Estadio Cuscatlán, San Salvador, El Salvador Guatemala
2–0
2–0
2007 UNCAF Nations Cup
3.29 March 2016Estadio Rommel Fernández, Panama City, Panama Haiti
1–0
1–0
2018 FIFA World Cup qualification
4.24 June 2018Nizhny Novgorod Stadium, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia England
1–6
1–6
2018 FIFA World Cup

He became the oldest player to score a goal in his debut world cup in Russia.

Personal life

Felipe Baloy is married and has three children. He currently lives in Panama with his family. Baloy is a naturalized citizen of Mexico.[19] He also holds a close friendship with fellow Panama national team mates Blas Pérez and Gabriel Enrique Gómez.

Honours

Club
Monterrey
Santos Laguna

Individual
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References
  1. "2018 FIFA World Cup Russia – List of Players" (PDF). FIFA.com. Fédération Internationale de Football Association. 4 June 2018. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  2. "HugeDomains.com - FelipeBaloy.com is for sale (Felipe Baloy)". felipebaloy.com.
  3. Felipe Baloy Move to Santos Laguna in december 17 of 2009 Archived 30 April 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  4. "¡Monterrey Campeon! Rayados Claim Mexican League Title - Goal.com". goal.com.
  5. De Panamá con amor
  6. Baloy es nominado al Balón de oro en México
  7. "Baloy, segundo mejor defensa".
  8. "Felipe Baloy es el nuevo refuerzo de Santos". ESPNdeportes.com. 18 December 2009.
  9. Baloy nuevo jugador de Santos Archived 22 February 2010 at the Wayback Machine
  10. Player stats in mediotiempo.com Archived 14 June 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  11. Monarcas contrato a Felipe Baloy - Mediotiempo (in Spanish)
  12. Panama - Record International Players - RSSSF
  13. CONCACAF Championship, Gold Cup 2007 - Full Details Archived 24 October 2008 at the Wayback Machine - RSSSF
  14. CONCACAF Championship, Gold Cup 2005 - Full Details Archived 24 October 2008 at the Wayback Machine - RSSSF
  15. "Revealed: Every World Cup 2018 squad - 23-man & preliminary lists & when will they be announced? - Goal.com".
  16. "Panama score their first ever FIFA World Cup goal (VIDEO)". FOX Sports. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
  17. Futterman, Kevin Draper and Matthew. "England Advances in World Cup after Rout of Panama". Retrieved 24 June 2018.
  18. "Felipe Abdiel Baloy - Century of International Appearances". www.rsssf.com.
  19. "Especial: Una Liga menos MX". Televisa Deportes. Archived from the original on 28 July 2015. Retrieved 28 April 2015.
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