Stainless Thiago Silva. At almost 37 years old (on September 22), the central defender of Brazil will most certainly start next night in the Copa America semi-final against Peru (1 a.m. in France). It is difficult to see how the coach, Tite, could do without the one who is at the top of his art and whom he has regularly called upon since taking office in 2016.
“Thiago Silva is doing great in this Copa America, he played some big games,” sums up Joao Henrique Marques, journalist at UOL Esporte. We must remember that Silva was injured in the final of the Champions League won with Chelsea (Editor’s note: 1-0 against Manchester City). Because of this, he did not play in the 2022 World Cup qualifiers before the Copa America, nor the first game against Venezuela. But he insisted on staying in Teresopolis (Editor’s note: the Brazilian Clairefontaine) to take care of himself. Tite considered that this marked his attachment to selection. “
Whether he plays with Marquinhos as in the quarter-final against Chile (1-0), or with Militão as in the group match against Peru (4-0), the former captain of Paris Saint-Germain continues to to admire its science of placement and its technical accuracy in the relaunch. This ability to go through the ages without weakening – with the exception of a period post Copa America 2015 when Dunga had dismissed him – designates him as one of the pillars of the Auriverde selection.
We know that Tite is used to running the captaincy among his players. Marquinhos, Casemiro and others can take turns being given the armband. But since the start of the competition, Thiago Silva has already been captain twice in three games played. A real marker of its importance.
Winner of the Copa America in 2019, the former Parisian who extended a season with Chelsea hopes to win a second this year at home. What to satisfy him? Not really since he hopes to last, and to last longer. “I hope to be able to do the same thing as Paolo Maldini in Milan by playing until the age of 40 or 41,” confided two days ago at a press conference. This is my plan, I have prepared for it. At 36, I continue to play at a high level and I am very proud of it. Now I have to live each season to the fullest while taking my precautions. My physique is not the same, the recovery is longer. “
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