Thiago Silva facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Thiago Silva

Silva lining up for Brazil in 2018
Personal information
Full name	Thiago Emiliano da Silva
Date of birth	(1984-09-22) 22 September 1984 (age 40)
Place of birth	Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Height	1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position(s)	Centre-back
Team information
Current team	Fluminense
Number	3
Youth career
1998–2000	Fluminense
2000–2001	Barcelona-RJ
2001–2002	RS Futebol
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2002–2003	RS Futebol	25	(2)
2004	Juventude	35	(3)
2004–2005	Porto B	14	(0)
2005–2006	Dynamo Moscow	0	(0)
2006	→ Fluminense (loan)	35	(0)
2007–2009	Fluminense	73	(9)
2009–2012	AC Milan	93	(5)
2012–2020	Paris Saint-Germain	204	(9)
2020–2024	Chelsea	113	(8)
2024–	Fluminense	33	(1)
International career‡
2008–2012	Brazil Olympic (O.P.)	8	(0)
2008–2022	Brazil	113	(7)
Medal record Men's football Representing  Brazil Copa América Winner 2019 Brazil Runner-up 2021 Brazil FIFA Confederations Cup Winner 2013 Brazil Summer Olympics Silver 2012 London Team Bronze 2008 Beijing Team
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 21:32, 27 July 2025 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 9 August 2024 (UTC)

Thiago Emiliano da Silva (born on September 22, 1984) is a Brazilian professional footballer. He plays as a centre-back and is the captain for the Brazilian club Fluminense. Many people consider him one of the best defenders of all time. He is known for his strong defending, good behavior on the field, and great leadership.

Thiago Silva started his senior club career in 2002 as a midfielder. He later became a defender while playing for Juventude. In 2004, he joined Porto and then moved to Dynamo Moscow on loan. There, he became very sick with tuberculosis and had to stay in the hospital for six months. After getting better, he joined Fluminense and helped them win the Copa do Brasil in 2007. In 2009, Silva moved to AC Milan and won the 2010–11 Serie A title.

In 2012, Silva made a big move to Paris Saint-Germain for a lot of money, becoming the most expensive defender at that time. He became the club's longest-serving captain, winning many titles like seven Ligue 1 titles. He also played in the UEFA Champions League final in 2020, which was his last game for PSG. In 2020, Silva joined Chelsea and won the Champions League in his first season. He also won the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup with Chelsea.

Silva first played for the Brazilian national team in 2008. He has played over 110 games for Brazil, including eight big tournaments. He won a bronze medal at the Summer Olympics in 2008 and a silver medal in 2012. He was captain when Brazil won the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup and came fourth at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Silva also helped Brazil win the Copa América in 2019 and finish second in 2021. He returned to Fluminense in July 2024.

Thiago Silva's Club Journey

Starting His Career

When Thiago Silva was young, he went to a school in Rio de Janeiro that was connected to the Fluminense team. At 14, he impressed a Fluminense coach and had a short tryout as a defensive midfielder. He didn't get many chances to play there, so he tried out for other clubs like Madureira and Flamengo, but he was not accepted.

After more tryouts, Silva joined a small Brazilian club called Barcelona. The next year, he played in a tournament in Italy where a coach from Roma wanted him to play for them, but Silva said no. Later, he was noticed by Paulo César Carpegiani and joined RS Futebol in 2001. He became a professional player in 2002.

Becoming a Defender at Juventude

In 2004, Silva moved to Juventude. At 20 years old, his coach, Ivo Wortmann, helped him change from a midfielder to a defender. In his only season at Juventude, Silva was seen as a rising star. He was even named one of the best defenders in Brazil by a sports magazine. His strong performances helped Juventude improve a lot in the league. Because of this, he was sold to Porto.

Silva joined Porto in 2004 but only played for their reserve team. After a year, he moved to Dynamo Moscow. There, he was diagnosed with tuberculosis and had to stay in the hospital for six months. Doctors told him he could have died if he had waited two more weeks to get help. During his recovery, Silva thought about quitting football, but his mother convinced him to keep playing.

Returning to Fluminense

Silva with Fluminense in 2007

In 2006, Silva returned to football with the help of his old coach, Ivo Wortmann, who brought him to Fluminense. Even though Fluminense had a tough year in 2006, Silva was seen as one of their best players. During this time, fans started calling him "O Monstro" which means "The Monster" in Portuguese.

The year 2007 was much better for Fluminense and Silva. The team finished fourth in the league and had one of the best defenses. More importantly, Fluminense won the 2007 Copa do Brasil for the first time. Silva played a key role, scoring important goals in the quarter-final and semi-final. His great play led to him being considered one of the best defenders in Brazil.

In 2008, Fluminense struggled in the league, but Silva had a great individual year. He became a hero to young fans, and his white wristband became a popular trend. Fans even made a flag to honor him, calling him "the best central defender in Brazil." Silva helped Fluminense reach the finals of the 2008 Copa Libertadores, where they lost on penalties. His strong performances caught the eye of many big clubs, and he decided to join AC Milan.

Playing for AC Milan

Silva moved to Milan for a fee of €10 million. He couldn't play in official games right away, but he trained with the team. During his first month, he learned new defending skills from legendary player Paolo Maldini. Silva played his first friendly match for Milan in January 2009 and impressed everyone. He officially became a Milan player for the 2009–10 season.

First Season and Success

Silva warming up for AC Milan in May 2010

Silva played his first official game for Milan in August 2009 and was praised for his strong performance. Milan legends like Paolo Maldini and Alessandro Nesta said he had the qualities of a champion. He scored his first goal for Milan in November. Italian media quickly noticed how well he adapted to European football, saying his value had doubled. He also had a fantastic game against Marseille, helping Milan reach the knockout stages of the UEFA Champions League.

In January 2010, Milan beat Juventus 3–0, and Silva was one of the best players. His teammate Alexandre Pato even said Silva would become the best defender in the world. By the end of the season, Silva was rated as the third-best central defender in the 2009–10 Serie A.

Winning the Serie A Title

Silva started the 2010–11 Serie A season with a goal. He played a key role in Milan's 1–0 victory over city rivals Inter Milan, stopping their star striker. Even when he had to play as a defensive midfielder because of injuries, Silva performed incredibly well. He was compared to legendary Milan midfielders like Marcel Desailly and Frank Rijkaard.

Silva was praised for his excellent defending against Napoli's star striker Edinson Cavani, helping Milan win 3–0. In the match that secured the Scudetto (league title) for Milan, Silva led the defense to a 3–0 victory over Inter. He finished the season with only one yellow card, showing his discipline. Silva was voted Milan's Player of the Season by fans and was recognized as the best defender in Europe.

Final Season in Italy

Silva playing for AC Milan against Siena in December 2011

Milan started the 2011–12 Serie A season slowly, but Silva was still one of their best players. In a Champions League match against Barcelona, Silva scored a late goal to secure a 2–2 draw. He became the first foreign captain for Milan in 50 years in November 2011, scoring a goal in his first game as captain.

Many football experts and players, including Carlos Alberto Parreira and Zlatan Ibrahimović, called Silva the best defender in the world. He was also chosen for the 2011 UEFA Team of the Year. In March 2012, Silva got a serious injury that kept him out for seven weeks. Without him, Milan struggled and lost the league title to Juventus. Many believed Silva's injury was the turning point in the title race.

Moving to Paris Saint-Germain

In July 2012, Thiago Silva made a big move to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG). The transfer fee was around €42 million, making him the most expensive defender in football history at the time. Silva always said he was happy at Milan and didn't push for the transfer.

Breaking Transfer Records

Silva playing for Paris Saint-Germain in 2013

When Silva arrived at PSG, the club president called him the "best defender in the world." He scored in his first game for PSG, a 4–1 victory in the Champions League. He also scored in Le Classique, the big derby match against Marseille. For his great performances in 2012, Silva was included in the UEFA Team of the Year for the second year in a row.

Silva got injured in January 2013 and was out for almost two months. When he returned, he played incredibly well, especially in Champions League games. He was called "a wall" by French media for his performance against Barcelona. His coach, Carlo Ancelotti, said Silva was the best defender in the world. Silva was also named the Ligue 1 Player of the Month for March. At the end of the season, he was chosen for the 2012–13 Ligue 1 Team of the Year.

Winning Many Titles in France

Silva's season in 2013–14 started with a win in the Trophée des Champions, where he was named man of the match. He signed a contract extension with PSG until 2018. He had a period where he scored three goals in seven games, which was unusual for a defender. By the end of 2013, he was in the UEFA Team of the Year for the third time and the FIFPro Team of the Year for the first time.

In 2014, many people, including Rio Ferdinand and Ronaldo, said Silva was the best defender in the world. He helped PSG win the 2014 Coupe de la Ligue Final, their first time winning that trophy since 1998. PSG also won the league title, their second in a row. Silva was again named in the Ligue 1 Team of the Year.

Leading PSG to More Trophies

Silva (left) in action for Paris Saint-Germain in 2014

Silva had a tough start to the 2014–15 season after the World Cup. He suffered a thigh injury that kept him out for nine weeks. However, he returned to form in 2015, with many excellent performances. He was praised for his defending against Chelsea in the Champions League. In a crucial Champions League game against Chelsea, Silva scored a towering header in extra time to help PSG advance, making up for an earlier penalty he conceded.

PSG went on to win the Ligue 1 title, the Coupe de France, and the Coupe de la Ligue, completing a domestic treble. Silva was a key part of this success and was again named in the Ligue 1 Team of the Year.

Continued Success and European Final

Silva and David Luiz playing for Paris Saint-Germain in 2016

Silva continued to lead PSG to more domestic titles. In April 2020, PSG were awarded the 2019–20 Ligue 1 title early because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This was Silva's record seventh Ligue 1 title with the club.

In June 2020, PSG announced that Thiago Silva would leave the club after the Champions League campaign in August. His last game for PSG was the 2020 UEFA Champions League Final on August 23, where PSG lost to Bayern Munich. However, Silva made history by becoming the first Brazilian to captain a team in a Champions League Final.

Joining Chelsea

Winning the Champions League

Silva celebrating Chelsea winning the 2021 FIFA Club World Cup

On August 28, 2020, Silva joined Premier League club Chelsea. He made his debut in September in an EFL Cup match. Three days later, he played his first Premier League game as captain. In November, he scored his first goal for Chelsea.

Silva helped Chelsea reach their third Champions League final. On May 29, 2021, he won his first Champions League trophy after Chelsea beat Manchester City 1–0. He had to leave the game early due to an injury, but his team still won. In June 2021, Chelsea extended his contract for another year.

Breaking Records and Leaving Chelsea

In December 2021, Silva scored a goal and became Chelsea's oldest ever goalscorer in the Premier League at 37 years old. He extended his contract again in January 2022. In February 2022, he played his 100th Champions League game against his former club AC Milan.

In April 2024, Chelsea announced that Silva would leave the club at the end of the season after four years. He had become the club's oldest-ever outfield player and oldest goalscorer.

Returning Home to Fluminense

On May 7, 2024, Thiago Silva agreed to rejoin Fluminense in July 2024. This was a return to his home club after fifteen and a half years. Since his return, he has helped Fluminense avoid relegation, with the team going on a 10-game streak without conceding a single league goal, largely due to his strong influence.

Thiago Silva's International Career

Early Days and Olympic Medals

[[multiple image | align = right | image1 = Thiago Silva Brazil-England 2009.jpg | width1 = 158 | caption1 = Silva playing for Brazil in a friendly against England in November 2009 | image2 = Thiago Silva - Brazil 2011.jpg | width2 = 148 | caption2 = Silva in a friendly against Scotland in March 2011 ]] After a strong season with Fluminense, Silva was called up to the preliminary squad for the 2007 Copa América. He later played for Brazil in the 2008 Summer Olympics, where he won a bronze medal. He also won a silver medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics.

Silva played his first full international game for Brazil in November 2008 against Portugal. He was praised for stopping Cristiano Ronaldo. Even though he played well for his club, he wasn't a regular starter for Brazil in the 2010 World Cup qualifiers.

World Cup and Copa América Appearances

Silva was part of the Brazil squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup but did not play in any matches. He became captain under the new coach, Mano Menezes. In the 2011 Copa América, Brazil lost in a penalty shootout, and Silva was one of the players who missed his penalty. He scored his first goal for Brazil in a friendly match against the United States.

Winning the Confederations Cup

Silva won his first international trophy at the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup, which was held in Brazil. Brazil dominated the tournament, winning all their games. Silva played exceptionally well throughout the competition and was named one of the best players. He also scored his second goal for Brazil in a friendly against Portugal.

The 2014 World Cup

Silva celebrating Brazil's victory against Colombia at the 2014 World Cup

In the 2014 FIFA World Cup, held in Brazil, Silva played for the first time in a World Cup. He was seen as Brazil's best player in their 0–0 draw against Mexico. In the quarter-final against Colombia, Silva scored the opening goal. However, he received a yellow card, which meant he couldn't play in the semi-final.

Many experts believed Silva's absence was a big reason why Brazil lost badly to Germany in the semi-final, with a shocking 1–7 score. Silva returned for the third-place match, but Brazil lost 3–0 to the Netherlands. Despite the team's struggles, Silva was still recognized as one of the best defenders of the tournament.

Copa América and Milestones

In the 2015 Copa América, Silva scored a goal against Venezuela. However, in the quarter-final, his handball led to a penalty for Paraguay, and Brazil lost the game in a shootout.

Silva captained Brazil at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, playing in all five of their matches. He scored a goal in the group stage against Serbia. In May 2019, Silva was part of the Brazil squad that won the 2019 Copa América on home soil, beating Peru 3–1 in the final.

In June 2021, Silva played in the 2021 Copa América, where Brazil finished as runners-up after losing to Argentina in the final. On October 10, 2021, Silva played his 100th game for Brazil. In September 2022, he became the most-capped (most games played) center-back in Brazil's history.

The 2022 World Cup

Silva was named to Brazil's squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. He played in Brazil's first two group matches. He also assisted a goal in their 4–1 win against South Korea in the Round of 16. Four days later, Brazil was eliminated by Croatia in the quarter-finals after losing on penalties.

Thiago Silva's Playing Style

Thiago Silva is known as a complete defender. He is very consistent and can lead any defense. His playing style has been compared to the legendary Italian defender Franco Baresi, who said Silva is the defender who most resembles him. Even though some people have questioned his mental strength, his leadership skills are clear from his success as captain for both Brazil and Paris Saint-Germain.

Silva is one of the fastest defenders in European football. He is strong and good at heading the ball. He also has amazing tactical intelligence, discipline, and knowledge of the game. He is excellent at reading the game and predicting what will happen, which helps him stop opposing players. He is also very good at tackling.

Silva is a technically skilled defender who is praised for his ability to pass the ball and create chances from the back. He has been voted one of the top two central defenders in Europe for three years in a row. Many people, including Rio Ferdinand and Ronaldo, have called him the best defender in the world. While he mainly plays as a center-back, he has also played as a central or defensive midfielder. Despite facing injuries throughout his career, he is also praised for how long he has played at a high level.

Thiago Silva's Personal Life

Thiago Silva is married to Isabele, and they have two sons. He is a Christian. In March 2019, after playing in France for almost seven years, Thiago announced that he, his wife, and children had become French citizens. Thiago can speak Italian, English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese.

In 2022, FIFA released a sports docuseries called Captains. It followed six national team captains during their 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification journeys. Thiago Silva, representing Brazil, was one of the featured captains. The series was available on Netflix and FIFA's own streaming platform, FIFA+.

Career Statistics

Club

International

Scores and results list Brazil's goal tally first

List of international goals scored by Thiago Silva

No.	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1	30 May 2012	FedExField, Landover, United States	United States	2–0	4–1	Friendly
2	10 September 2013	Gillette Stadium, Foxborough, United States	Portugal	1–1	3–1
3	4 July 2014	Castelão, Fortaleza, Brazil	Colombia	1–0	2–1	2014 FIFA World Cup
4	21 June 2015	Estadio Monumental David Arellano, Santiago, Chile	Venezuela	1–0	2–1	2015 Copa América
5	13 June 2017	Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, Australia	Australia	2–0	4–0	Friendly
6	27 June 2018	Otkritie Arena, Moscow, Russia	Serbia	2–0	2–0	2018 FIFA World Cup
7	9 June 2019	Estádio Beira-Rio, Porto Alegre, Brazil	Honduras	2–0	7–0	Friendly

Honours and Awards

Thiago Silva and Brazil president Dilma Rousseff with the 2013 Confederations Cup trophy

Fluminense

• Copa do Brasil: 2007

Milan

• Serie A: 2010–11
• Supercoppa Italiana: 2011

Paris Saint-Germain

• Ligue 1: 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2019–20
• Coupe de France: 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2019–20
• Coupe de la Ligue: 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2019–20
• Trophée des Champions: 2013, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019

Chelsea

• UEFA Champions League: 2020–21
• UEFA Super Cup: 2021
• FIFA Club World Cup: 2021

Brazil U23

• Olympics Bronze Medal: 2008
• Olympics Silver Medal: 2012

Brazil

• Copa América: 2019; runner-up: 2021
• FIFA Confederations Cup: 2013

Individual Awards

• Bola de Prata: 2007
• Campeonato Brasileiro Série A Best Fan's Player: 2008
• Campeonato Brasileiro Série A Team of the Year: 2008
• CONMEBOL South American Team of the Year: 2008
• Samba Gold: 2011, 2012, 2013
• Serie A Team of the Year: 2010–11, 2011–12
• UNFP Ligue 1 Team of the Year: 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19
• UNFP Ligue 1 Player of the Month: March 2013, October 2019
• UEFA Team of the Year: 2011, 2012, 2013
• UEFA Champions League Team of the Group Stage: 2015
• FIFA FIFPro World11: 2013, 2014, 2015
• FIFA Confederations Cup Dream Team: 2013
• FIFA Confederations Cup Castrol Index Top XI: 2013
• FIFA World Cup All-Star Team: 2014, 2018
• FIFA World Cup Dream Team: 2014, 2018
• UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season: 2015–16
• Copa América Team of the Tournament: 2019
• IFFHS CONMEBOL team of the decade 2011–2020
• FIFA Club World Cup Golden Ball: 2021
• Chelsea Player of the Season: 2022–23
• Chelsea Players' Player of the Season: 2022–23
• FIFA Club World Cup Team of the Tournament: 2025

See also

In Spanish: Thiago Silva para niños