Unknown on arrival, idol on departure: see what Thiago Silva’s time at Fluminense was like | fluminense

Voz do Setorista: what you need to know about Thiago Silva’s return to Fluminense

Thiago was raised in the youth teams of Fluminense, in Xerém, but anyone who thinks that his professional debut was with the Rio club is mistaken. He debuted as a professional for Pedrabranca (at the time, RS Futebol Clube) and, in 2004, competed in the Brasileirão for Juventude. There were 29 games and three goals for the team from Rio Grande do Sul.

Chance made Thiago reconnect with coach Ivo Wortmann, with whom he had worked at Juventude. Hired by Dynamo Moscow, the coach from Rio Grande do Sul found a specialist in Portugal, responsible for the treatment that cured the defender.

Thiago Silva back to Fluminense: remember the Monster’s career

In 2006, Wortmann agreed with Fluminense and, even in the midst of recent health problems, asked to sign Thiago. The defender then returned to Brazil and began his career as a professional player at the club where he played in the youth divisions.

The feeling, in the words of number 3, was that he had “signed the first contract”. Alongside Marcelo, another idol raised in Xerém, he participated in the squad that fought against relegation in the Brasileirão and was a semi-finalist in the Copa do Brasil in 2006.

In 2007, he won the affection of the fans with his unprecedented victory in the Copa do Brasil. He scored three goals in the campaign, against ADESG, Athletico-PR and Brasiliense. The trophy ended a 23-year drought without national titles at Tricolor. On the way to the title, the team won six games, drew five and lost one, with 22 goals scored and 11 conceded.

In 2008, Thiago once again fell into the fans’ favor and consolidated his idol status amid his vice-president’s campaign in the Libertadores. Even without the title, won by LDU (Ecuador), the defender made his name in history due to his performance against two specific opponents: São Paulo and Boca Juniors.

In the quarter-finals, without Thiago on the field, Adriano scored the only goal of the game at Morumbi and opened the advantage for the São Paulo team. On the way back, at Maracanã, the story was different. Washington opened the scoring in the first half and Adriano even tied, but was unable to repeat the brilliance of the first half, canceled out by number 3. Dodô broke the tie for Fluminense and, in the 46th minute of the second half, Washington scored the historic goal that took Flu to the semifinals .

In the semi-finals, the mission was to face one of the best Boca Juniors teams in history: Riquelme, Palacio, Palermo, Dátolo… On the way, Riquelme opened the scoring at Cilindro de Avellaneda, and Thiago Silva, after a free kick from Thiago Neves, left everything the same. This was the defender’s second goal in the 2008 Libertadores; before, he had already scored against Libertad. The game ended in a 2-2 draw.

In the return game, Thiago was once again highlighted in the match that saw Fluminense reach the final of the continental tournament. Tricolor won 3-1 at Maracanã, with goals from Washington, Conca and Dodô; Palermo scored the Argentine goal.

If there were still any doubts, the flags with Thiago Silva’s face in 2008 confirmed it: the defender had gained a permanent place in Fluminense’s gallery of idols. Furthermore, the white wristband worn by number 3 became a rage in the Maracanã stands and was even sold by the club itself. His career was also made into a film.

– Now that I know that there are fans who are wearing the wristband because of me, I won’t take it off anymore – he said at the time.

Thiago played 46 games and scored six goals for Fluminense in 2008, before moving to Milan, in Italy. The journey came to an end against Ipatinga, in a 1-1 draw that guaranteed Tricolor’s place in the 2009 South American Championship.

An emotional Thiago Silva says goodbye to the Fluminense fans in 2008

The defender’s farewell was attended by more than 50 thousand fans at Maracanã. Players and committee performed with the traditional white wristband, saints were distributed, and the party confirmed the extent of the number 3’s idolatry.

After the final whistle, Thiago took an Olympic lap, received one last proposal – in a joking tone – from Celso Barros, and got emotional when talking about the club:

– I leave with my head held high, my role fulfilled here, I did everything I could. Unfortunately we can’t play for the rest of our lives at one club, I also have to think about my family, but I’m going with a broken heart. This crowd is wonderful. (…) The fans, whenever I meet them on the street, tell me to go with God, who is the best for me. If they see me happy, they are happy too.

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