Happy Birthday Thiago Silva!

From 2007 to 2009, Silva played for Fluminense, winning the Copa do Brasil in 2007. After establishing himself as a critical player for the Rio de Janeiro club, the center-back felt ready to move to Europe.

Silva joined AC Milan in 2009 and made 119 appearances, scoring six goals and registering two assists. The veteran defender would also win the Serie A title during the 2010-11 season.

Following the 2011-12 season, Silva left the Italian club to join PSG, which would mark the start of a remarkable tenure. With the capital club, the Brazilian made 315 appearances while scoring 17 goals and registering seven assists.

Silva won a lot of domestic silverware during his tenure with PSG, winning seven Ligue 1 titles, five Coupe de France trophies, six Coupe de la Ligue trophies, and seven Trophée des Champions.

In a 2019 interview with PSG's official website, the defender reflected on what it means to represent the capital club and his deep connection, especially since it was the longest stint of his career at any club.

"Paris Saint-Germain represents a lot in my life. I love being here, I love to play for this shirt, to play at the Parc des Princes - it’s an incredible atmosphere to play football in and I’m captain which makes it all the more special."

"I never really thought I’d spend so much time in one club… I spent three years at Fluminense, three and a half years at Milan, and now it’s nearly seven years here... a lifetime for a footballer and something extraordinary in my career…"

While at PSG, Silva also became a French citizen and noted what it meant to him to have a new adopted home.

"If I’m honest, I never thought one day I’d be French… I’ve been here for seven years now and I never imagined that… It’s great for me because if you are still here, it means you are a doing a good job because you still have the confidence of the club, the president and it’s also great for me to see my children like this, with a French passport… they speak French, English, Portuguese… it’s extraordinary to be able to do this for your children."

Silva's tenure with the Parisians ended in 2020, and he moved to Chelsea, where the veteran won the 2021 UEFA Champions League under former PSG manager Thomas Tuchel. The former PSG standout played five years for the Premier League side and left this past summer to join Fluminense, showing that age is nothing but a number to him. 

Photo credit: Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images

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