Thiago Silva, Brazilian soccer legend, Champions League winner, and one of the top class defenders of his generation, has lived a career most players only dream of. But ask him about his proudest moments, and he won’t name a trophy or a title. He’ll talk about being a dad.
Silva grew up in an impoverished area of Rio de Janeiro, facing setbacks that would have ended most careers before they even began. A life-threatening illness nearly took soccer away from him, but his determination, and the lessons from his own father fueled his dreams to keep on going.
Years later at Chelsea FC, Silva made headlines for something unexpected. One of his Matchday rituals wasn’t just about warming up, it was about FaceTiming his two sons. No matter where he was in the world, before every match, he’d call them. His boys would give him advice: “Papa, score a goal today!”, and he’d in return remind them to work hard in school.
In interviews, Silva often credits fatherhood for giving him perspective. “When I step on the field, I play for my family. When I step off, I’m just Dad.” And like any good dad, he knows some of the best conversations happen over coffee—whether it’s debriefing a game or just talking about life.
This Father’s Day, we celebrate the dads who teach us resilience, passion, and love, both on and off the pitch. Because the greatest victories aren’t just in fútbol… they’re mostly in the day to day.
