Cavani & Di María in the spotlight
It’s a tale that unfolds seamlessly—a revered legend facing his former club on a grand international platform. Thiago Silva, the legendary Brazilian defender, has rejuvenated his career to lead his boyhood club, Fluminense, to the semi-finals of the Club World Cup. This sets the stage for an eagerly awaited match against Chelsea. At 40 years old, Silva has demonstrated his veteran leadership and resilience, and now, just a year after departing from Stamford Bridge, he finds himself facing many familiar faces.
Fluminense stands as the only non-European team in the semi-finals, representing not only Brazil but the entirety of South America. Silva has had an illustrious career, boasting titles such as the Champions League, Copa América, Serie A, and Ligue 1, and has played alongside numerous legendary players throughout his tenure. Here at Transfermarkt, we analyzed the data to compile an XI showcasing Silva’s most frequent teammates, resulting in a formidable lineup.
Thiago Silva’s Most Frequent Teammates XI
In goal, we have former PSG keeper Salvatore Sirigu, who shared the field with Silva for 101 matches at PSG. The right-back position features Dani Alves, who played alongside Silva in 112 games for both PSG and Brazil. Marquinhos stands alongside Silva at center-half, with an impressive 228 matches played together at PSG and for the national team. The left-back spot goes to fellow Brazilian Maxwell, who partnered with Silva in 151 games for Brazil and PSG. In central midfield, we find Marco Verratti and Blaise Matuidi, having played 224 and 186 matches, respectively, with Silva at PSG.
On the left wing is Argentine icon Ángel Di María, who partnered with Silva in 163 matches at PSG. Meanwhile, Lucas Moura, another former PSG and Brazil teammate, occupies the right wing after playing 182 games alongside the defender. Up front, the formidable pairing of Edinson Cavani and Zlatan Ibrahimović takes the lead. Cavani competed with Silva in 216 matches at PSG, while Ibrahimović played 195 times alongside the Brazilian. Throughout an esteemed and highly-regarded career, Silva’s leadership could potentially propel his childhood club to the final of the Club World Cup, marking a fitting culmination to his journey.
