# Kike Linares

Enrique Linares Fernández (born 12 July 1999), commonly known as Kike Linares, is a Filipino-Spanish professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Thai League 1 club Lamphun Warriors and the Philippines national team.

## Club career

Linares was a youth product of Vázquez Cultural and 26 de Febrero.

### El Palo

Linares joined Tercera División RFEF club El Palo on a season-long deal. He made his league debut for the club in a 0–1 away win against Atarfe Industrial. In February 2019, Linares scored his first professional goal in a 6–0 home win against Torreperogil.

### Montijo

After a season with El Palo, Linares joined Montijo. He made his debut for the club in a 2–1 away defeat against Calamonte.

### Bruno's Magpies

In 2020, Linares joined Gibraltar National League club Bruno's Magpies. He made his debut for the club in a 2–3 away win against Lions Gibraltar.

### San Pedro

After a short stint in Gibraltar, Linares returned to Spain and joined sixth tier División de Honor club San Pedro. He made his debut for the club in a 3–0 home win against Rincón. In May 2021, they have won promotion to Tercera División RFEF.
In 2021–22 season, Linares won the Trofeo Antonio Naranjo – an award given to the best player of San Pedro in a certain season.

### Lamphun Warriors

On 9 July 2022, Linares moved to Southeast Asia to joined Thai League 1 club Lamphun Warriors. He make his debut on 14 August in a goalless draw against Port. On 197 September, Linares scored his first goal for the club against Nakhon Ratchasima equalising for the team in a 2–2 draw. On 22 October, he scored the only goal in the match where he help his team to gained the three points in the league against Nongbua Pitchaya.

### PSM Makassar

In July 2023, Linares moved to Liga 1 club PSM Makassar. He make his debut on 20 October in a league match against Arema.

### Return to Lamphun Warriors

On 8 January 2024, Linares rejoined his former club Lamphun Warriors.

## International career

Linares was born in Spain and has Filipino lineage through his grandmother.

### Philippines U23

In May 2022, Linares was called-up to represent the Philippines under-23 in the 31st Southeast Asian Games. He made his debut for Philippines U23 in a 4–0 win against Timor-Leste U23.

### Philippines

In 2019, it was reported that Linares received an invitation to train with the Philippines.
Linares was included in the 25-man squad of the Philippines for 2022 FAS Tri-Nations Series.
He debuted in a 2–0 friendly lost to Malaysia on 23 March 2022.
During the first leg of the 2024 ASEAN Championship semi-finals match on 27 December 2024 against Thailand, Linares scored in the 90+5' stoppage time header to secured a 2–1 win which then see Philippines beating Thailand for the first time in 52 years.

#### International goals

    Scores and results list the Philippines' goal tally first.
| # | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
| 1. | 27 December 2024 | Rizal Memorial Stadium, Manila, Philippines | Thailand | 2–1 | 2–1 | 2024 ASEAN Championship |

## Personal life

Linares belongs to a family of footballers, he is cousins with Álvaro Silva who is also a former Philippines international and also Enrique Silva, brother of Álvaro, who played for Malaga B and Nacho Linares, who currently plays for the U19 team of his former club, Vázquez Cultural.

## Honours
### Individual

* Trofeo Antonio Naranjo (San Pedro Player of the Year): 2021–22