Felipe Baloy

Felipe Baloy (born February 24, 1981, in Panama, Panama) is a football (soccer) defender who currently plays in Mexico for Primera División de México team Club de Fútbol Monterrey and is the current captain of the Panama national football team.

Early life

Baloy was born on February 24, 1981 in Panama City. He was the second youngest of his 7 brothers and grew in the populous barrio of Cerro Batea in the San Miguelito, Panamá district after moving from another barrio called San Martin. Pipe grew interest in football (soccer) after playing in the streets with his friends.

Baloy graduated from both elementary and high school, but never went to university because he decided to pursuit his career in football (soccer) where "things have been going well".

Club career

Early career

At the age of 18, he started his football (soccer) 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 national football team 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.

Colombia

At the age of 19 Baloy moved to Colombia to play for Copa Mustang team Envigado Fútbol Club in 2001. He played a year with the Department of Antioquia side before moving to Independiente Medellín. With the Medellín side he had more success, he played in Copa Libertadores in Copa Libertadores 2003 where DIM finished 3rd. After 2003 his spell in Colombia was about to end after he was signed by Brazilian side Grêmio Foot-Ball Porto Alegrense.

Brazil

Baloy started his career in Brazil with Grêmio Foot-Ball Porto Alegrense where he played the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A 2003 and Campeonato Brasileiro Série A 2004 season in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A. With Grêmio Foot-Ball Porto Alegrense Baloy had rough times, after finishing 20th in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A 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 Copa Sudamericana 2004 season, but never made it past the first round. Baloy was also made capitain in Grêmio Foot-Ball Porto Alegrense despite his young age.

In Clube Atlético Paranaense Baloy had little more success after finishing 6th in the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A 2005 season and playing on the side that finished runner-up in the Copa Libertadores 2005 season. However Baloy did not play the final because he was signed by Club de Fútbol 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 Club de Fútbol Monterrey in the Primera División de México, he debuted on July 30, 2005 in the 1-2 CF Pachuca. However Baloy had trouble at first with the Mexican fans due to the fact that he was taking the place of the fan favorite Argentine Defender Pablo Rotchen. After a couple of good performances, Baloy was a fan favorite.

On 2005 Pipe had a good start with rayados where in the Primera División de México Apertura 2005 finished runner-up. However after that season, Baloy and the rayados have been passing through hard times where they haven't been the same competitive they where 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 Copa Libertadores 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 .

International career

Baloy played in the Panama national football team squad which attempted to qualify to the 2001 FIFA World Youth Championship 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 along side with Jose Luis Garces, 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 national football team. Pipe has played more than 70 representing Panama national football team participating in the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification (CONCACAF). He is currently the captain of the national team. He was also part of the 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup and 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup 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.

2006 Santos Laguna controversy

On August 2006 in a Club de Fútbol Monterrey game against Santos Laguna in the Corona Stadium, Baloy scored a goal which contributed to the 2-2 tie. However during the game Santos Laguna's fans chanted racial slurs towards Baloy, these slurs included chango (monkey) and come platano (banana eater). Santos Laguna was fined for the racist comments.

Personal life

Felipe Baloy is married and has two children. He currently lives in Mexico with this family. He also holds a close friendship with fellow team mates Blas Perez and Gabriel Enrique Gómez.

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