Thiago Silva Shares Touching Story Before Fluminense Match

Thiago Silva created an unforgettable moment in Fluminense’s dressing room before their Club World Cup match against Inter Milan — the team captain shared a touching personal story.

With tears in his eyes, Silva recounted his bitter experience during the 2014 World Cup about his stepfather — the man who shaped him into who he is today. “I didn’t know how serious his condition was and didn’t get to visit him in the hospital because I thought he would recover,” he said with a trembling voice.

“Don’t put things off, because time won’t wait. Enjoy this moment, enjoy it with joy, but stay responsible,” Silva emphasized to his teammates.

This emotional speech proved effective — Fluminense defeated Inter Milan 2-0. Even more impressively, during the match Silva demonstrated his tactical leadership by providing precise formation guidance to the team.

Silva’s leadership style reminds of the blend between emotion and strategy often used by modern coaches. Like Mikel Arteta at Arsenal who uses unique methods to motivate his players, or Rafa Benitez who is known for his calm and measured tactical instructions.