Luisão

Ânderson Luís da Silva (born 13 February 1981), known as Luisão, is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as a central defender for Portuguese club Benfica.

Most of his professional career has been spent with Benfica, for which he has appeared in more than 400 official matches, having won fourteen major titles. Luisão is the longest-serving captain in Benfica history.

A Brazilian international on 44 occasions, Luisão appeared for the country in two World Cups and three Copa América tournaments.

Club career

Brazil

Born in Amparo, São Paulo, Luisão represented Clube Atlético Juventus and Cruzeiro Esporte Clube in his country, scoring a career-best six goals in 24 matches in his third season with the latter.

Benfica

In the 2003 summer Luisão moved to Europe, signing with Benfica of Portugal for £890,000. He faced a tough period of adaptation, during which he performed somewhat below his capabilities and even considered traveling back to his home country; he did manage, however, to score in his league debut, a thrilling 3–3 home draw against C.F. Os Belenenses on 14 September, and ended his first season with the Portuguese Cup conquest, helping defeat FC Porto 2–1.