In a way, Thiago Silva’s journey always seemed destined to lead, in one way or another, to a return to FC Porto. It was the blue and white club that, in 2004/05, opened the doors of European football to the central defender, then 20 years old and coming from Juventude.
At Dragão, the footballer, now 41 years old, played for the B team. In January, he went to Russia and was diagnosed with tuberculosis there. The continuity of his career came to be at serious risk and his connection to FC Porto fell into oblivion… until this Saturday, the day on which Thiago was announced as a reinforcement for the Dragons, 21 years later.
This was, in fact, one of the reasons that led the Brazilian international to accept the invitation made by André Villas-Boas. Thiago Silva returns to wearing blue and white to properly finish the story he started in 2004 and saw interrupted for reasons of force majeure. In addition to this factor, the ambition demonstrated by the Porto project, both through AVB and through Francesco Farioli, weighed on the player’s decision, who also wanted to return close to his family, who are in London. Both sons, in fact, play for Chelsea. Isago Silva, 17 years old, recently signed a professional contract with blues.
To close
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Thiago Silva is 41 years, 2 months and 28 days old, but has not yet played for FC Porto – Photo: FC Porto
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Pepe – 41 years, 1 month and 26 days (2024) – Photo: Imago
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Silvino – 38 years, 3 months and 10 days (1997) – Photo: ASF/Paulo Duarte
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Helton – 38 years and 4 days (2016) – Photo: ASF/Eduardo Oliveira
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Iván Marcano – 38 years and 1 day (2025) – Photo: Catarina Morais/Kapta+
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Iker Casillas – 37 years, 11 months and 6 days (2019) – Photo: ASF/Vítor Garcez
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Aloísio – 37 years, 9 months and 11 days (2001) – Photo: ASF
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Vítor Baía – 37 years, 7 months and 5 days (2007) – Photo: ASF/Paulo Esteves
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António André – 37 years, 1 month and 26 days – Photo: A BOLA
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Nuno Espírito Santo – 36 years, 1 month and 26 days (2010) – Photo: ASF/Paulo Santos
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At FC Porto, the defender will have to perform at the highest level to compete for a place in the eleven with undisputed names, such as Bednarek and Kiwior, or with the youth and irreverence of Prpic. In collective terms, the objectives are clear: Thiago Silva returns to Invicta to become Portuguese champion — he did not play minutes for the main team in 2004/05 — and to go as far as possible in the UEFA Europa League, a showcase that also renews his hope of returning to the Canarian national team’s accounts.
Behind are approaches from clubs like Milan, but not only: what BALL As it turned out, there were many top clubs in the world who wanted to have Thiago Silva in their ranks. The player’s final option fell on FC Porto. For ambition and the desire to complete an unfinished story.
