/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2024/02/04/3880159-78836108-2560-1440.jpg)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/67131045/1261725039.jpg.0.jpg)
:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66321622/1206682849.jpg.0.jpg)
Chelsea legend holds back tears as he delivers emotional speech before famous victory for current club
Thiago Silva left his teammates stunned after delivering an emotional monologue ahead of Fluminense’s Club World Cup win over Inter. The former Chelsea ace rolled back the years to deliver a sterling performance both on and off the pitch for the Brazilian side as they dumped the Serie A giants out of the competition with a 2-0 victory. GettyThiago Silva helped Fluminense dump Inter out of the Club World Cup on Monday[/caption] Prior to Monday’s match against the Champions League finalists, SIlva gathered his teammates in the changing room before delivering a speech so heartfelt that he burst into tears. “In 2014, I was playing the World Cup in Brazil. On one of our days off, I went home. My stepfather showed up… the man who made me who I am today. He was sick. I didn’t know how serious it was.” he told the squad. “I returned to the national team. Things ended how they ended. He was hospitalized. I had to go back to Paris for preseason… After one of the first league matches, my wife called me: ‘Your stepfather passed away.’ “Do you know what I mean by this? I didn’t go see him at the hospital because I thought he’d get better. That he’d be fine and I came back to Paris…,” Silva tearfully added. “What I want to say is: Don’t leave things for later if you can do them now. In the present. Don’t wait. There may not be time.” The speech was greeted with loud cheers by the squad and from the looks of things, it did just the trick. Silva inspired the Brazilian side to a famous win over Inter to book their place in the quarter-finals against Manchester City’s conquerors Al Hilal. Goals from German Cano and Hercules ensured the Nerrazzuri finished the 2024/25 campaign trophyless after a season that initially promised so much. “I’m very proud with my team, with my team-mates,” Silva told DAZN after the match. “This game is like this, too hard to play against the Inter team, you know? They played the Champions League final a month ago. Thiago Silva rallied the troops before Fluminense’s 2-0 win over InterX “It is not easy to play like this. It’s too hot today to play football. The time is not good, but it is like this. Fluminense are a big team.” Inter captain Lautaro Martinez lamented his side’s inability to see off the Brazilians while also pointing to the extreme heat conditions in Charlotte, North Carolina. Martinez said: “We certainly were not in the match in the first half. We conceded a goal and gave the ball away far too many times. “Fluminense defended deep and well, trying to go on the counter-attack. We did better in the second half, we gave our all. “It was very hot, we were tired mentally, we were missing lots of players. “I apologise to the fans and everyone who came here to watch us. Now we must focus on rest and preparing for next season in the best way.” Thiago Silva could be in for a Chelsea reunion if both clubs advance to the Club World Cup semi-finalsGetty Fluminense have quietly impressed in the United States having picked up five points from their group containing Borussia Dortmund, Mamelodi Sundowns and Ulsan HD. One of four Brazilian teams to have qualified for the revamped tournament, Fluminense will fancy their hopes of reaching the final. Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal stand in their way of a spot in the semi-finals where they will face either fellow Brazilian outfit Palmeiras or Silva’s former side Chelsea.
Thiago Silva left his teammates stunned after delivering an emotional monologue ahead of Fluminense’s Club World Cup win over Inter.
The former Chelsea ace rolled back the years to deliver a sterling performance both on and off the pitch for the Brazilian side as they dumped the Serie A giants out of the competition with a 2-0 victory.
Prior to Monday’s match against the Champions League finalists, SIlva gathered his teammates in the changing room before delivering a speech so heartfelt that he burst into tears.
“In 2014, I was playing the World Cup in Brazil. On one of our days off, I went home. My stepfather showed up… the man who made me who I am today. He was sick. I didn’t know how serious it was.” he told the squad.
“I returned to the national team. Things ended how they ended. He was hospitalized. I had to go back to Paris for preseason… After one of the first league matches, my wife called me: ‘Your stepfather passed away.’
“Do you know what I mean by this? I didn’t go see him at the hospital because I thought he’d get better. That he’d be fine and I came back to Paris…,” Silva tearfully added.
“What I want to say is: Don’t leave things for later if you can do them now. In the present. Don’t wait. There may not be time.”
The speech was greeted with loud cheers by the squad and from the looks of things, it did just the trick.
Silva inspired the Brazilian side to a famous win over Inter to book their place in the quarter-finals against Manchester City’s conquerors Al Hilal.
Goals from German Cano and Hercules ensured the Nerrazzuri finished the 2024/25 campaign trophyless after a season that initially promised so much.
“I’m very proud with my team, with my team-mates,” Silva told DAZN after the match.
“This game is like this, too hard to play against the Inter team, you know? They played the Champions League final a month ago.
“It is not easy to play like this. It’s too hot today to play football. The time is not good, but it is like this. Fluminense are a big team.”
Inter captain Lautaro Martinez lamented his side’s inability to see off the Brazilians while also pointing to the extreme heat conditions in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Martinez said: “We certainly were not in the match in the first half. We conceded a goal and gave the ball away far too many times.
“Fluminense defended deep and well, trying to go on the counter-attack. We did better in the second half, we gave our all.
“It was very hot, we were tired mentally, we were missing lots of players.
“I apologise to the fans and everyone who came here to watch us. Now we must focus on rest and preparing for next season in the best way.”
Fluminense have quietly impressed in the United States having picked up five points from their group containing Borussia Dortmund, Mamelodi Sundowns and Ulsan HD.
One of four Brazilian teams to have qualified for the revamped tournament, Fluminense will fancy their hopes of reaching the final.
Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal stand in their way of a spot in the semi-finals where they will face either fellow Brazilian outfit Palmeiras or Silva’s former side Chelsea.
