I had no idea of how far beach soccer would take me

Get close and personal with Brazilian star Filipe as he discusses his past triumphs and grand ambitions for the future

Filipe Duarte da Silva, known simply as Filipe, was born 12th September 1993 in the Brazilian state of Pernambucano. Apart from his beach soccer, he works with his father and sister in the maintenance of swimming pools.

This week’s ambassador has has won almost everything there is to win with his national team, and has, in recent years, been a crucial cog in the complex mechanics of Brazilian domination within the beach soccer world. 

But it all began at a young age for Filipe…

“I started playing beach soccer at school in the Under-15 team, with the Coach Alberico. I thought it was an incredible and dynamic game, with an amazing kind of freedom. But I had no idea of how far beach soccer would take me.” 

Things moved quickly for the young talent as he progressed and was noticed by some important figures in the world of Brazilian beach soccer.

“My first experience in the adult category was at the Campeonato Pernambucano when I was 18 years old, and I won the award for being the best player of the competition.

The year after I went to the Brazilian Beach Soccer Cup in Manaus, where there were many great teams and excellent players. Again, I was one of the best players taking my team, Sport, to the finals of the championship. 

Following that, my dream became true, and the coach at the time Jr Negao called me up to be part of the Brazilian national team, after passing a preparation period for the World Cup in Tahiti 2013.”

Since then, Filipe has applied his trade in Europe too, playing with some of the top clubs in beach soccer.

“I continued my evolution with an experience in Italy when I was 19, playing for the Lazio in 2013.

After Italy, I went to Israel with Falfala, and the year after, to Russia, one of the strongest leagues on the world. There I played with Krylya Sovetov, and we reached second place in the league – a great achievement.”  

Filipe still plays in the Russian league today, having made appearances for Delta and Novator, as well as Krylya Sovetov.

However, it is with Brazil that Filipe has acquired the most silverware, but which successes stand out as the most special for him? 

“I always love to win. Every tournament is very important, but the World Cup is special. I always dreamed of being world champion, and we did it! Now I want to win again, as many times as possible.”

And on a personal level..?

“I have already been World Champion as part of a team, but one day I would like to win the Best Player of the Year award.”

The Brazilian certainly has big dreams, but at the tender age of 25, Filipe has a long career in beach soccer ahead of him. Who knows what new heights he can achieve?

Honours: 

FIFA World Cup Champion (Bahamas 2017)

Twice champion of Intercontinental Cup Dubai.

South American Champion

Copa America Champion

Euro Winners Cup Champion

Portuguese League Champion 

Mundialito de Clubes Champion

6-time Pernambucano Champion

Brazilian Cup Champion

COMNEBOL qualifiers Champion