Rio, Paris and London: How did Thiago Silva become an idol of three World Cup semifinalists?

The semifinal of Reuna, Chelsea (Ing), Paris Saint-Germain (FRA) and Real Madrid (ESP). The duels will be special for millions of fans around the whole planet, besides gathering from several candidates for the protagonist on the field. However, one person stands out in the crowd. It’s about!

In addition to the desire to become the first winner of the competition, three of the four members of this phase have another point in common: the Brazilian defender, considered a historical idol of the representatives of Rio de Janeiro, Paris and London. Among the semifinalist quartet of the World Cup, the only exception is the Spanish giant, as the defender never acted for any club in the country.

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Thiago Silva in the match against Al-Hilal for the Club World CupPhoto: Lucas Merçon/FFC Fluminense

Thiago Silva guides Fluminense players in the match against Inter MilanThiago Silva guides Fluminense players in the match against Inter Milan – Reproduction: x/@fifaworldcup_pt

Thiago Silva gives an interview on the eve of the match against Chelsea by the Club World CupPhoto: Lucas Merçon/FFCFLuminense

Fluminense team before the ball rolled in the game against Al-Hilal for the Club World CupPhoto: Lucas Merçon/FFC Fluminense

Reproduction/FIFA

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With the shirts of, Thiago Silva built a trajectory marked by cuts, tackles, titles and even goals, as well as much idolatry. But what is the origin of this sense of belonging that the 40 -year -old man generates in the clubs he has passed? To understand the connection, you need to return more than two decades.

The beginning in Laranjeiras

In terms of achievements, Thiago Silva’s passage through Fluminense may seem small, especially compared to the trophies already raised by the defender and also from the Rio club. However, the 2007 Brazilian Cup is just the icing on the cake of this lasting and even conflicting relationship, which begins during childhood and is charged with symbolism.

The athlete is formed in the base categories of Tricolor, having acted from 11 to 18 years. Despite the professional debut at Pedrabranca-RS, at the time RS Futebol Clube, he is a kid of Xerém, as the fans calls the players from the base. After tickets for other teams, he returned to Fluminense in 2006, at the age of 21.

The following year, already with professional armor, Thiago helped the club end a 23 -year fast without national titles with the triumph in the Brazilian Cup. In 2008, he was runner-up of Libertadores, as well as elected best defender of the Brazilian Championship. There, idolatry was already formed. The transfer to Milan from Italy was just the natural way to the “monster.”

Consolidation in Paris

After four seasons with the Rossonera shirt, a new destination in Europe: Paris! At that time a new rich in world football wanted to show the world its financial and sports power. And Thiago Silva was one of the big names that landed in the city of Luz in the following years.

At Paris Saint-Germain, there were 315 games over eight seasons. The club he defended most in his career. And where it was also more victorious: Seven Ligue 1 titles, six French League Cups, Six French Super Cup and five Cups of France. In addition to the trophies, the performances and leadership of the defender won the Parisian fans.

However, a stone in the shoe followed the relationship between club and athlete: the Champions League. With each new season, expectations increased. Similarly, they were on the way. The most cruel of her may have been just the last, as Thiago Silva said goodbye to PSG after the defeat to Bayern Munich in the 20/21 season. Added to the frustration of the runner-up, a termination of an unwanted contract by the player, who wanted to renew, already 35, while the club chose to let him go, even with honors in the stands.

The London Triumph

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Thiago Silva in action by Chelsea.Reproduction/@thiagosilva

The defender returned to the club to meet former companions.Reproduction/@thiagosilva

Who took advantage of the melancholy exit from the princes park was Chelsea, who did not care about the advanced age and soon offered him two years of contract – which would turn four. In the first season for the blues, the missing title arrived, and Thiago Silva finally reached the top of Champions League.

The trophy was accompanied by the Club World Cup – still in the old format, being elected the best player of the competition – and the European Super Cup. The rapid identification with the English was enhanced by leadership on and off the field. In the farewell season, once again honored, and entitled to the phrase in the Portuguese flag: “Thank you, monster: one of us.”

After the departure, more honors and gestures of affection and recognition of both sides. While the fans chose Thiago Silva to the team’s “11 ideal of all time”, the defender entrusted to the club the task of starting his children’s career. Isago and Iago work through the Blues base and live in London with their mother, Belle Silva.

The return and reunion

The following renewals with Chelsea increased idolatry in England. On the other hand, they gave evidence of wear and tear in the relationship with the cariocas. It was not common to find critical tricolors to the defender for a supposed delay for the return. Marcelo’s return, another base -breed and featured in European football, generated comparisons.

Until, in the middle of the 2024 season, the hammer was beaten: Thiago Silva returned to Fluminense, who, less than a year after winning Libertadores, fought against relegation in Brasileirão. The breath of relief came only in the last round, and it can be said that the permanence in the first division goes through sports performance and the leadership of shirt 3.

A year later, the cast finds itself in another decisive moment. For Thiago, even more. Fluminense and Chelsea face each other at 16h (Brasília) on Tuesday (8/7). The duel winner faces PSG or Real Madrid in the Club World Cup final.

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