Ânderson Luís da Silva (born 13 February 1981), aka Luisão (literally "Big Luís"), is a Brazilian footballer who plays for S.L. Benfica in Portugal, as a central defender.
Most of his professional career was spent with Benfica, for which he appeared in more than 300 official games, winning seven major titles.
A Brazilian international on more than 40 occasions, Luisão appeared for the country in two World Cups and three Copa América tournaments.
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.
In the 2003 summer, Luisão's moved to Europe, signing with S.L. 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. He ended his first season with the Portuguese Cup conquest, helping defeat F.C. Porto 2–1.
In 2004–05, Luisão featured regularly in Benfica's central defense, alongside Ricardo Rocha, appearing 29 times and contributing heavily for the Reds' first league title in 11 years: on 24 April 2005, in a 2–1 away victory over G.D. Estoril-Praia, he scored his first goal of the season, the game's equaliser. On 14 May, he found the net with his head against city rivals Sporting Clube de Portugal, scoring the game's only goal and ousting the opponents from the title race.
Most of his professional career was spent with Benfica, for which he appeared in more than 300 official games, winning seven major titles.
A Brazilian international on more than 40 occasions, Luisão appeared for the country in two World Cups and three Copa América tournaments.
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.
In the 2003 summer, Luisão's moved to Europe, signing with S.L. 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. He ended his first season with the Portuguese Cup conquest, helping defeat F.C. Porto 2–1.
In 2004–05, Luisão featured regularly in Benfica's central defense, alongside Ricardo Rocha, appearing 29 times and contributing heavily for the Reds' first league title in 11 years: on 24 April 2005, in a 2–1 away victory over G.D. Estoril-Praia, he scored his first goal of the season, the game's equaliser. On 14 May, he found the net with his head against city rivals Sporting Clube de Portugal, scoring the game's only goal and ousting the opponents from the title race.
