In a sport where the team is paramount, coaches are often reluctant to single out individuals for praise. That certainly wasn’t the case after Fluminense FC eased past Al Hilal to reach the semi-finals of the FIFA Club World Cup™.
Reflecting on reaching the final four, Flu head coach Renato Gaucho was full of praise for one player in particular. “Thiago Silva is a beast, a born leader and a deadly player. He’s a coach on the pitch and a real captain.”
In Orlando, the Brazilian defender was once again one of the standout performers, delivering a commanding display at the back that belied his veteran status. Perhaps it’s precisely all those years of experience that allows Thiago Silva to keep surprising everyone.
Sporting a slight war wound from the victorious battle against Al Hilal, Thiago Silva shared his thoughts with FIFA post-match.
“I’m really happy with today’s win. After a match like that, I think we all are. Reaching the semi-finals of a tournament like this is a great achievement. Now we need to go back and rest up because the next match is going to be tough.
“Preparing for this game wasn’t easy. We were up against a team that has invested heavily on players. But we had more heart on the pitch. We showed that we’re a great side and work well together.”
What really stood out was the message the Brazilian defender wanted to share, not just with his teammates, but with the world. Indeed, it’s a message that resonates far beyond football.
“Today I was more relaxed with the players. I had given them a bit of a speech before the Inter match. I wasn’t sure if I should say anything at all but what I said was very personal, something I hold dear to me all the time. I always say to never leave anything unsaid. Tell your friends and family you love them.
“It’s too easy to let time go by and it can be too late to say what you want to. I think it had an effect on them. When I heard what happened to Diogo Jota, that was the first thing I thought of. Don’t wait for tomorrow. If you want to do something, do it now. Whatever happens, you can be at peace with yourself.”
A powerful message, in life, as in sport.
