https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/2021/05/28/
thiago-silva-ready-for-surprise-gift-in-place-that-means-so-much
Thiago Silva ready for surprise gift in place that means so much
28 May 2021
Thiago Silva has a closer relationship with Porto than most and here he
explains why, before looking ahead to his second consecutive Champions
League final appearance…
https://i.imgur.com/UBFq2So.jpg
Whatever happens tomorrow night, the city of Porto will always hold a
special place in Thiago Silva's heart. It was there he took the first,
tentative steps on his road to recovery following an illness that not only
threatened to end his career, but his life.
The complications began during his debut season playing for Porto B, in
2004/05, as he struggled to keep up with the pace of the game having moved
from Brazil. Sharp chest pains came and went. He joined Dynamo Moscow on
loan in search of playing time at a higher level, but the condition only
worsened during a pre-season tour of, ironically, Portugal.
The 20-year-old Thiago was diagnosed with tuberculosis, six long months
after contracting it. An undignified illness, tuberculosis causes intense
flu-like symptoms. The late diagnosis didn't help Thiago Silva's cause,
but it came in time to save his life.
He ended up spending half a year bedridden in a Russian hospital, unable
to see visitors for three months. The suggested surgery on his lungs would
have ended his playing career, but he avoided that and managed to return
to Porto a year after his ordeal had begun.
'I had a flat in Porto, and kept up my recovery there,' says Thiago Silva.
'A tuberculosis specialist recommended I go walking for half an hour in
the mornings until I felt tired, then restart. Isabelle [now Thiago's
wife] came with me by bike, but I couldn't do it for five minutes.
'I felt exhausted, but I didn't stop. Little by little, I improved. I
started jogging. Then, after three months, I was healed.'
Thiago Silva returned home to Brazil to rebuild his career, and was soon
impressing to such an extent AC Milan came calling. An elite career at the
top of the European game has followed.
https://i.imgur.com/7MZVa5U.jpg
A healthy and fit Thiago Silva celebrates scoring for Fluminense in 2008
It is not over yet. Not by a long stretch. Tomorrow night he will compete
in the Champions League final for the second time in nine months, again in
Portugal but this time in a city synonymous with perhaps the most dramatic
period in his life.
'It is difficult to express in words the whole meaning of all this,' he
reflects. 'Achievement is a daily goal in my career and often we don't
understand some decisions or facts, but I want and am enjoying this
special moment God is providing me in this place that has to do with my
life story.
'To be back in a Champions League final so quickly means a lot,' adds
Thiago. 'You could say it is a surprise gift. Until last year I had never
been in a Champions League final, and now I have been in two in a row. It
is very special.
'Football always brings us a lot of emotions and sometimes in a quick,
even unexpected way, and when you do something you love, with all the
necessary sacrifices, this gift undoubtedly has a much greater meaning.'
That it is Thomas Tuchel leading Thiago Silva into a Champions League
final once more only adds to the drama.
'We trust each other's work and we have similar philosophies and
profiles,' Thiago says of their relationship after a couple of happy years
in France, and now four thrilling months together at Chelsea.
Thiago Silva agreed to join the Blues shortly after PSG were beaten by
Bayern Munich in Lisbon last August. His short time in England has taught
him plenty about game management, training methods, and even, at the age
of 36, passion for football. His dedication and professionalism knows no
boundaries.
'I don't see it as a weight, because I love what I do,' he explains as he
considers what keeps him going.
'I believe that for any professional to reach their goals, sacrifice is
part of their daily lives. The life of the high-performance athlete
demands this and nowadays, even more so. However, the fulfilment and joy
are greater, without a doubt.
'Thankfully, I will be playing in my second consecutive Champions League
final, and I hope that it ends on a different note to last year,'
continues Thiago.
https://i.imgur.com/SDGYUXw.jpg
Tuchel and Thiago are hoping to go one step further than last year
'As you gain experience over time, you take a few precautions because too
much eagerness can influence you in the actual game. I've been feeling
very relaxed lately, ever since I put every situation in God's hands and
stopped asking "why?" or "how?".
'I'm just keeping faith and working hard, because keeping faith won't be
enough. We know that a final is a very unique game. It's always tough to
play in one, regardless of whether you've played against your opponent
numerous times throughout the season.
'A final cancels all that out. It's a one-off game. In that sense, it's
completely different, but hopefully we can get a third consecutive victory
over Manchester City.'