Chelsea’s 2-0 win against Lille was a significant step towards qualifying for the Champions League quarter-finals. Thiago Silva, on the other hand, set a new personal best in the game.
With 94 appearances in the Champions League, the defender is tied for sixth position with Maxwell as the Brazilian with the most appearances in the competition. That way, if he plays in the rematch on the 16th, he will be the only player in the top five in the rankings.
Discover the list of Brazilians who have played the most Champions League matches and reflect on Thiago Silva’s accomplishments in Europe!
Brazilians with the most games in the Champions League
Roberto Carlos, a Real Madrid legend and member of the Galacticos, leads the leaderboard. He has 120 games under his belt, the majority of them with the Spanish national team. The team protected Fenerbahçe and extended his record in the last stretch of his tenure.
The next two names on the list, oddly enough, both play on the sides. Other Brazilians with over 100 games include Daniel Alves and Marcelo, while Fernandinho just passed that milestone. Marcelo, by the way, is the only player in the Top 5 who has only defended one team. He has been with Real Madrid since 2007, but has had limited opportunity to play lately.
Check out the full list of Brazilians!
- 1st – Roberto Carlos (120 games)
- 2nd – Daniel Alves (111 games)
- 3rd – Marcelo (101 games)
- 4th – Fernandinho (100 games)
- 5th – Thiago Silva and Maxwell (94 games)
Thiago Silva has already eclipsed other legendary names in the Brazilian squad, such as Kaká (86) and Lucio (83).
Thiago Silva might play six more times this season if Chelsea reach the Champions League final once again. That would put him in a tie for fourth place, although Fernandinho might improve his position.
Chelsea have already confirmed his contract extension until July 2023, so the defender should have little trouble reaching 100 games. Because an English squad will almost certainly compete in the next edition, Thiago Silva will have the opportunity to further his reputation. Also because he is such a vital part of Thomas Tuchel’s plan, the Brazilian is unlikely to lose ground.
At 37, Thiago Silva remains at a high level
Thiago Silva has had a distinguished career in European football. He moved to Milan in early 2009 after making a name for himself at Fluminense. Transferring to PSG took four seasons, during which he played eight more and became a national hero in France.
The team won 25 trophies, with seven of them coming in Ligue 1. True, PSG’s local football opponents aren’t very strong, but the athlete has enhanced the club’s image around the continent. Truly, he has had several setbacks, but the French squad is usually the favorite to win the Champions League.
Thiago Silva won the Champions League for the first time with Chelsea and was also named the best player in the Club World Cup. He scored the penalty that pushed Palmeiras back in the game, but his contribution to Chelsea’s defensive scheme was crucial to their triumph.
Title with Chelsea was career crowning
Thiago Silva has never won the Champions League despite a long and successful career in Europe. He reached the final with PSG in 2020, but was beaten by Bayern Munich. He joined with Chelsea, his third club in Europe, the following year.
It’s possible that this is the defender’s final season in Europe, but the exchange was fantastic. He was a major role in Chelsea’s Champions League triumph, his first in his career, despite his late age. After almost 90 games, he was crowned champion.
Thiago Silva is expected to compete in his fourth World Cup in 2022 after signing a new deal. After Belgium’s elimination in 2018, the defender was expected to make way for the next generation, but he has remained Tite’s trusted name.
