Chelsea’s Thiago Silva Drops International Retirement Hint

Chelsea’s Thiago Silva has indicated that he will retire from international competition prior to the 2026 World Cup, but he is adamant that he still wants to play.

When Marquinhos‘ penalty attempt hit the base of the post, sending Croatia into their second straight semi-final, Silva could only watch in despair as the celebrations broke out.

The defender immediately came to the realization that this World Cup would probably be his last opportunity to win the tournament as a player.

Speaking soon after the shock loss, the Chelsea man said: “It is difficult. I have been through some disappointments in my life and when we lose something important that we have as an objective, it hurts quite a lot. But we have to try to lift our heads and carry on. There is no other alternative.

“Sadly, as a player I am not going to get to lift this trophy. Who knows if in future I will get the chance in another role.”

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Silva led Brazil during their campaign in Qatar, but he’ll be close to 42 by the time the next World Cup comes around, so he probably won’t play for Brazil again after that.

The World Cup would certainly elude Silva out of all the awards he has received in his remarkable career.

Silva’s international career appears to have ended in dismay, but he isn’t showing any signs of slowing down at the club level. When the Premier League starts on Boxing Day, he will be back playing for Chelsea at home.

Action Pictures of Thiago Silva against Croatia