RIO DE JANEIRO — Experienced defender Thiago Silva concluded his time with Fluminense on Wednesday and is reportedly seeking a return to Europe to enhance his chances of representing Brazil in the upcoming World Cup.
Fluminense announced the early termination of the 41-year-old’s contract, which was set to run for another six months. Silva joined the Rio de Janeiro team in May of the previous year.
In a statement, Fluminense acknowledged the defender—who has previously played for clubs like AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain, and Chelsea—by saying he leaves behind “a legacy of dedication and love for Fluminense.” Silva had previously played for the club from 2006 to 2008.
Earlier this week, Silva mentioned that his contract with Fluminense was structured with the intention of participating in the World Cup as he aims to conclude his career on a high note. With his departure, the Brazilian icon will now seek to secure a new club in advance of next summer’s tournament in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
Thiago Silva has no intentions of retiring; instead, he aims to find a club as close to London as possible to remain near his family. His eldest son, Isago, recently signed his first professional contract with Chelsea, according to reports from ESPN Brasil and other sources.
On Tuesday, former Chelsea defender John Terry expressed on TikTok his desire to see Silva return to Stamford Bridge, where the Brazilian secured the Champions League title in 2021. Terry mentioned, “His two kids are in our academy. No doubt he will be back in London with his family for Christmas.”
During his time with Fluminense, Silva played a crucial role in helping the team reach the semifinals of the Club World Cup in July and was a key starter throughout the season, which concludes in December for Brazilian clubs.
The defender has been part of Brazil’s squad for the last four World Cups and achieved success with the national team, including the 2013 Confederations Cup and the 2019 Copa América.
Information from The Associated Press contributed to this report.