Thiago Silva: ‘This is the most important moment of my career’

The Champions League final probably didn’t go exactly the way Thiago Silva might have picture it. Forced off just past the half-hour mark with a groin injury, the veteran center back was consigned to watching and riding the roller-coaster of emotions from the stands. After coming up just short twelve months prior with PSG, the game was now out of Silva’s direct control.

Fortunately, Chelsea were able to finish the job, adding a second Champions League trophy to the museum.

For the team, it was a culmination of all the hard work put in throughout this relentless season. For Silva, and other veterans like César Azpilicueta for example, it was also a culmination of all the blood, sweat, and tears put in throughout their careers. Here they stood, on the highest of high peaks in club football, and the view was magnificent indeed.

“This is the most important moment of my career. [This] is special, in what is my first year here.

“Tuchel has changed the team mentality, but it is also important to talk about Lampard. Without him I would not be here. So, thanks to him for letting me sign here. I’m very happy and I hope he is, too.”

Of course, just because you’ve been to the mountain top, it doesn’t mean the journey is over. Silva is likely to stay with Chelsea for one more year and will be hoping to keep performing at a level high enough to still play in the 2022 World Cup, by which time he will be 39.

Based on the evidence of this season, I wouldn’t be betting against him in that endeavor.

“[The rest] we will see. We must take it season by season.”

-Thiago Silva; souce: RMC Sport via SBS

Not bad for a free transfer.

Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images