Thiago Silva has rarely spoken about Paris Saint-Germain with such affection and clarity. From his early days in Ligue 1 at a club still “under construction” to the pride he feels seeing a structured Paris, European champions, and impressive in their play, the former captain recounts, in Ligue 1+, one thing above all: a collective legacy he embraces.
Thiago Silva: “I’m grateful for everything I experienced”
On his time at PSG
On his beginnings in Paris and the club’s evolution (structures, behind-the-scenes aspects, pride)
“I’m grateful for everything I experienced, for everything that was given to me. I think it was a very important moment in my career. When I arrived at PSG, we had a tiny gym. We had practically nothing.”
And whether it was me or Zlatan, who arrived at the same time, or the other players who had arrived a little earlier—Maxwell, Thiago Motta, Verratti, Pastore, Sirigu, Paredes—we all provided feedback, we gave information, ideas, and suggestions for improving the training center. And today, you can see it from afar: the difference is enormous, the structure the club can offer is completely different.
That’s precisely what makes me proud: PSG has grown, it has become more structured, it has taken steps forward. And from afar, seeing the new organization, seeing everything that has been put in place, it truly makes me happy and proud.
Thiago Silva: “They had an incredible friendship from the very beginning, truly.”
On the Mbappé and Neymar anecdote, and the feeling of unfinished business afterward:
I remember it very well: we played a Super Cup against Monaco, Mbappé’s Monaco. And at the end of the match, he came to see me and said, “Even if Neymar comes, I want to come too. Talk to the president, discuss it… I’m very interested in being part of this team.” Then Neymar signed, and Mbappé arrived around the same time. They had an incredible friendship from the very beginning, truly.
Then a few years later, what happened, happened… and naturally, you can be a little disappointed by how it all ended. It could have ended better.
Thiago Silva: “We used to joke amongst ourselves: ‘It’s impossible that PSG signed a player with a physique like that.’”
On the personal connections (Lucas, Marquinhos) and the symbol of Marquinhos as captain:
“Lucas and Marquinhos are friendships I’ll cherish for life. Lucas is always very funny. When Marquinhos arrived from Roma, he was very thin, a bit lethargic, and ill. We used to joke amongst ourselves: ‘It’s impossible that PSG signed a player with a physique like that to play.’” Obviously, it was a joke, because we knew his quality.
And a few years later, Marquinhos, as captain, lifted the most important trophy in the club’s history. And I know I was part of that journey.
On the current PSG and what impresses him about their play
What impresses me is the way they do things. It’s automated: one player knows what the other is going to do, who drops deep, who attacks the space behind, who creates the numerical advantage… I find it fascinating. It makes me happy to see PSG, their progress over these years, the Champions League, the new structure… all of that makes me extremely proud.
Thiago Silva: “I want to win until my last day”
On his current life and the coaching profession
I know I’m in the final months of my career, and I want to win until my last day. As I said, the dream of becoming a coach is in my head. And One of my main goals is to coach all the clubs I’ve played for. That’s my objective.
