Thiago Silva

Thiago Silva

Thiago Emiliano da Silva (; born 22 September 1984), commonly known as Thiago Silva, is a Brazilian professional footballer. He plays as a central defender for Chelsea and the Brazil national team. Known for his pace, aerial ability and leadership skills, Silva is regarded as one of the best central defenders of his generation. He has won a joint record seven Ligue 1 championships, five consecutive Coupes de la Ligue and five Coupes of France.

About Thiago Silva in brief

Summary Thiago SilvaThiago Emiliano da Silva (; born 22 September 1984), commonly known as Thiago Silva, is a Brazilian professional footballer. He plays as a central defender for Premier League club Chelsea and the Brazil national team. Known for his pace, aerial ability and leadership skills, Silva is regarded as one of the best central defenders of his generation. He has won a joint record seven Ligue 1 championships, five consecutive Coupes de la Ligue and five Coupes of France. He also captained Brazil to victory at the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup and fourth place at the World Cup a year later, both on home soil. Silva has earned 92 international caps in total, and has won three Copa América titles and a bronze medal at the two Olympic tournaments. He is also a member of the FIFA World Cup winning squad of 2010, 2014 and 2016. Silva was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and is the son of former Brazilian international footballer Luiz Felipe Scolari. He grew up in the Campo Grande neighbourhood of Rio and went to Fluminense’s feeder school. He was rejected by several clubs, including Flamengo, Madureira and Botafogo, before joining RS Futebol in the south of Brazil in 2001. In 2004, Silva moved to Juventude, where he was regarded as the revelation of the season. At 20 years old, Silva transitioned from midfield to defence under the tutelage of Ivo Wortmann.

In 2006, Silva developed the nickname of “O Monstro” – the Monster. In January 2007, Silva was signed by Porto for €2. 5 million, but played only for the reserve team. After a year in Portugal, he joined Dynamo Moscow. In July 2012, PSG signed him for a reported €42 million, making him the then second-most expensive defender in history behind Rio Ferdinand. During his recovery, Silva decided to retire from football with the help of his mother, but was persuaded to reconsider by his former coach, Ivo. Silva played for both Fluminenses and Brasileirão in 2006 and 2007. He won the Serie A title with the Rossoneri in the 2010–11 season. Silva is a non-playing member of Brazil’s team at the 2010 World Cup and won the 2019 edition of the tournament, winning the bronze medal in the tournament on home turf. He played for Porto in 2004 and 2006, finishing 15th out of 20 teams in the Campeonato Gaúcho. In 2009, Silva signed for Milan for €1.5 million, and played for six months in the Italian Serie A. In 2010, he moved back to Brazil to play for FluminENSE. In 2012, Silva joined Fluminensor for €3.5m, but struggled in the Portuguese league. In 2013, he was signed for £1.2m by Fluminensing. In 2014, he signed for Porto for £2.4m, and in 2015 for £3m.