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Simple Questions with New York Red Bulls' Felipe Martins

Who is Felipe Martins? He's a big part of New York Red Bulls' recent success, but also a family man and a Rihanna fan.

By Austin Fido
Matthew Stith

Felipe Martins has been ever-present in the New York Red Bulls' lineup since he joined the club for the 2015 MLS season. He made 40 appearances in all competitions for RBNY in his first year with the team, and 39 in 2016: which gives him two entries in the club's all-time, all-competitions single-seasons appearances top 10. He's also twice in the club's all-time top 10 for single-season minutes played in all competitions. And he has played every minute of every competitive game RBNY has contested so far this season.

The stalwart midfielder has logged 91 career appearances for RBNY to date (89 starts), scored eight goals, chipped in 15 assists, and won the 2015 Supporters' Shield with the club.

But what really makes the 26-year-old Brazilian tick? Once A Metro tries to find out with a few simple questions.

1. Set the mood for this - what song should we be listening to while we read your answers?

Felipe: Diamonds in the sky - Rihanna, I think would be a good one.

You got it, Felipe.


2. Last film you saw - and what did you think of it?

Last movie I saw? Jeez...it was with my son. It was...(laughs, sheepishly)...I just thought it was funny. It was Minions. They went to England - and they are kind of crazy. I thought they were like me, a little bit.

3. Favorite thing to do when you're not playing soccer?

Stay with my son and my wife. We go to the park, we go to the mall, we go in the city - we try to do things that we can enjoy, the three of us.

4. You have friends coming to visit you here for the first time, what's the one thing you tell them they have to see or do (aside from watch you play, of course)?

I'm the boss. What I say in my house is the rule. It's not something that somebody can come over and they're going to think it's their house.

Not quite like that, more - is there anywhere you bring them or say they have to see?

No. I just say that everything is...we don't change times for them - the times we eat; we don't change the channel for them. They have to adapt themselves.

But is there maybe a restaurant you'd bring them to?

Nothing specifically. I think, on that I'm easy because I eat everything.

5. If you weren't a soccer player, what job do you think you'd be doing?

When I was young, I really thought that I wanted to be FBI or SWAT. But I definitely thought too that I could be a psychologist.

6. Soccer team you supported growing up?


7. Player or players you admired back then?

Ronaldo. The big Ronaldo.

[Editor's note: Two-time World Cup winner, three-time FIFA World Player of the Year, Ronaldo Luis Nazaria de Lima finished a trophy-laden career with Corinthians.]

Why?

He did things differently.

He sure did, Felipe.


8. Best on-field memory as a Red Bull?

The two goals against Houston.

Ours too, Felipe. March 19, 2016 at Red Bull Arena: two goals in six minutes to turn a 3-2 loss into a 4-3 win. Magic.


9. One skill that a current teammate of yours has that you wish you had? (doesn't have to be a soccer skill)

Speed.

Anyone's speed in particular?

We have many. We have Kemar [Lawrence], we have Bradley [Wright-Phillips], we have Derrick [Etienne], we have Sal [Zizzo] - and I wish I could have that.

10. Aside from answering these questions, what's the worst part of your job?

Worst part of my job? I just think that sometimes you can't say what you're really thinking.

Thanks, Felipe!

Follow Felipe on Twitter @FeliMartins8. And see him for yourself in the New York Red Bulls' midfield most weekends from March to November.

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