Inter are UCL runners-up, but can they do it in scorching US sun against 40-year-old Monster?
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Reading Time: 2min | Mon. 30.06.25. | 12:43
He has the best percentage (83%) of aerial duels won in the tournament so far: 10 out of 12. Ladies and gentlemen, Thiago Silva
Age is just a number. Take Thiago Silva, for example.
The former AC Milan, Chelsea and PSG defender celebrated his 40th birthday last September and not only he's not retired, but The Monster - as his teammates and fans call him - the Brazilian centre-back is dominating in the ongoing FIFA Club World Cup.
The former Selecao captain has led his boyhood club, Fluminense, straight to the knockout phase, as they're about to face the Champions League runners-up, Inter Milan, in the Round of 16 tie on Monday night (10 pm) in Charlotte.
Believe it or not, the player who started his senior career back in 2002 - exactly 23 years ago - has the best percentage (83%) of aerial duels won in the entire tournament so far: 10 out of 12. And he's the oldest player at the CWC!
It's like a dream, and Thiago Silva surely wants to continue riding on that wave of nostalgia and unbreakable desire.
"We have to seize the moment, not let it go by. A lot of people worked hard to bring 'Flu' here. I wasn't there, but I want to represent all those kids who came and went, some retired, others went to Europe... I want to represent Felipe Melo, Andre, Marcelo...", Thiago Silva said ahead of the Inter tie, before reminiscing about his early days:
"I left Fluminense at a very young age and never thought I'd experience this. Not even in my wildest dreams did I imagine I'd be able to represent Fluminense in such an important competition."
Now, 13 years after leaving San Siro, he'll experience another derby against Inter, with a place in the quarterfinals at stake.
"Never look at the ID of a great player. Thiago is a legend, both in Brazil and Italy. We've never played together, but we've talked a lot about Calcio and Milan. Facing him is wonderful for me," says Nerazzurri player Carlos Augusto.
FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP 2025
1/8 finals
Saturday
Palmeiras - Botafogo 1-0 AET (0-0)
/Paulinho 10/
Benfica - Chelsea 1-4 AET (1-1)
/Di Maria 90+5 pen - James 64, Nkunku 108, Neto 114, Dewsbury-Hall 117/
Sunday
PSG - Inter Miami (4-0)
/Neves 6,39, Aviles 44 og, Hakimi 45+3/
Flamengo - Bayern 2-4 (1-3)
/Gerson 33, Jorginho 55 pen - Pulgar 6 (og), Kane 9, 73, Goretzka 41/
Monday
22.00: (1.80) Inter (3.50) Fluminense (4.70)
Tuesday
04.00: (1.35) Manchester City (5.00) Al-Hilal (9.00)
22.00: (1.67) Real Madrid (3.70) Juventus (5.50)
Wednesday
04.00: (1.80) Dortmund (3.60) Monterrey (4.60)
***odds are subject to change***
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