Thiago Silva: “Joining AC Milan the best moment of my career, I was like a child”

By Oliver Fisher -

Former AC Milan defender Thiago Silva has looked back on his time at the club in an interview with Globo Esporte.

The Brazil defender has spent 10 years in Europe playing at the highest level, during which he made 119 appearances for the Rossoneri, winning both Serie A and the Supercoppa Italiana.

“I arrived at Milan, it was a team that I could only admire on TV, I loved those players, then suddenly I found myself in the locker room: Nesta, Maldini, Pirlo, Seedorf, Inzaghi – in short, the whole team,” Silva began.

“Kaka, the colony of Brazilians, Pato himself. When I was a kid I had the dream of playing at a big club in Europe, and I did it. I was so excited when I arrived at Milanello, Pato explained everything to me around the sports center, changing rooms, to make the first medical tests.

“I kept looking around like a child, I watched the pictures of the stars and champions of the past. That day marked me as a player. I owe everything to Leonardo, who made a great effort at the time for me to sign for the Rossonero.”

The most important advice received in the first weeks in Milan? 
“It was my first friendly match against Milan, I was trying to make an impression with the others and Seedorf, who spoke Portuguese perfectly due to his Brazilian wife.

“I asked him what the best advice from a veteran like him could be, his answer was learn Italian quickly: being the central defender, he told me that I should drive the department and give directions to the midfield, so Italian would have been fundamental.

“In four or five months I was already speaking the language, after six months I gave interviews in Italian. It was a pleasant feeling, also because when I was a child I remember a tournament in Italy, played in Ancona, where I listened to the opponents speak Italian and I liked it, even if I did not understand it.

“Once you learn the language it was a walk (laughs, ed). Now French is much more difficult, you know? I still miss a lot to learn but I can do it.”

Silva then discussed his move from the Rossoneri to PSG – a departure which along with Zlatan Ibrahimovic is considered a turning point in Milan’s recent history.

“It was a unique experience in my life. It was nice but also difficult to pass so quickly from AC Milan to PSG.

“I had my doubts, but even in this situation Leonardo was crucial in convincing me, together with Ancelotti and President Nasser. They showed me a winning project and the choice was made.”

Could Thiago Silva make a return to Milan in the future?

“As long as this love with the PSG is going to last, I do not know, for anyone it is difficult to talk about the future.

“I still have a year and a half contract, I think that in the coming months, when the season ends, we will talk to the club and figure out what is best for everyone.”

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