Thiago Silva's Derby to decide first Club World Cup finalist
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Reading Time: 2min | Tue. 08.07.25. | 17:16
Fluminense's captain spent four years at Stamford Bridge. It will be very emotional for him when his side takes on Chelsea tonight (10 pm)
The biggest and probably the only surprise of the FIFA Club World Cup has been Fluminense. The Brazilian side has reached the CWC semi-final, where they take on Chelsea on Tuesday night (10 pm) at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Flu reached the penultimate phase of the tournament, led by 40-year-old captain Thiago Silva. They have limited their opponents to just four goals in five games at the tournament. Silva previously spent four years at Stamford Bridge between 2020 and 2024, becoming a fan favorite and captain along the way.
He proved those leadership skills again at the CWC, using the cooling break against Inter Milan to give his teammates tactical instructions in their 2-0 victory.
The veteran defender showed fantastic knowledge of the game, which led to Fluminense's second goal. Silva also went viral for his emotional team talk before the game against Nerazzurri. He told the story of his stepfather dying while he was in France playing for PSG. He now has to live with the regret of not visiting him in hospital - and he does not want his teammates to look back at their opportunity in front of them with regrets of their own.
Thiago Silva rouses his teammates with his already legendary speech.
"I didn't go to see him in hospital because I thought he was going to come out," Thiago tells his teammates almost in tears. "Don't hold back out there. Do it now. Do what we can do, right now. Don't put it off, because there's no time. Enjoy the moment. Joyfully but responsibly."
Fluminense's coach Renato is leading the campaign for Silva's return to the national team.
"I never tire of seeing Thiago Silva play," says his coach. "He is a leader and coach on the field. It is beautiful to see him play, to see him lead the team inside the four lines. It's a pleasure to work with him. He's helped us a lot because of his leadership and, in my humble opinion, he's still a Brazilian national team player."
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Interestingly, Thiago Silva also won the Club World Cup, beating Palmeiras in the final in 2021.
"One more! There are two left. It's not over," he told Renato as they hugged on the pitch after defeating Al-Hilal.
FIFA CLUB WORLD CUP 2025
1/2 finals
Tuesday
22.00 (5.40) Fluminense (3.75) Chelsea (1.67)
Wednesday
22.00 (2.35) PSG (3.50) Real Madrid (2.95)
***odds are subject to change***
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