At 40, Thiago Silva still makes everyone admire him.

In Fluminense's 2-1 win over Al Hilal in the early morning of July 5, center-back Thiago Silva once again affirmed his class.

Thiago Silva (middle) is still performing top football at Fluminense - Photo: Reuters

And it shows that he is still capable of carrying the Brazilian team's defense with his superior skills and experience.

For Fluminense, the FIFA Club World Cup is not only a prestigious playground but also a golden opportunity to affirm its class before the rest of the world .

But to go far in this fierce competition, they need more than a cohesive squad - they need a leader who knows how to say the right thing at the right time. And that's exactly what Thiago Silva is.

The match with Al Hilal was tied at 1-1 with only 15 minutes left. Amid the sweltering heat of Orlando, the match was paused for a cooling break.

Without hesitation, Silva called the whole team together and had a brief but strategic exchange. Those gestures did not come from a momentary emotion, but from the experience of a center-back who had captained PSG and Chelsea. At the same time, he had faced hundreds of the world's top strikers.

Shortly after that “mini-meeting”, Fluminense scored their second goal. Hercules was the scorer, but it was clearly Silva’s signature – he reorganized the game to preserve his advantage, before putting his team ahead. The final score was 2-1 and the Brazilian representatives excellently qualified for the semi-finals.

Not only a leader, Thiago Silva is also an inspiration to the whole team - Photo: Reuters

Silva’s presence not only brings solidity in the playing style, but also a spiritual role model for the whole team. In the match against Al Hilal, this was not the first time he showed his impressive tactical ability.

Previously in the match against Inter Milan, the former Chelsea star also had similar actions: Adjusting and reminding teammates about the team's formation distance, about pressing at the right time and always shouting to motivate teammates.

Thiago Silva, at 40, is no longer the fastest player, no longer the physical centre-back with the extraordinary ability. But he is the one who understands the game best and knows what to do in key situations. He is not just a player, he is also a leader and an inspiration to his teammates.

And as the FIFA Club World Cup reaches its final stages, Fluminense can hope for a miracle. Because they have a true leader. Thiago Silva, at 40, is still fighting.

TUAN LONG

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/o-tuoi-40-thiago-silva-van-khien-moi-nguoi-phai-ne-phuc-20250705060602518.htm