After making his final appearance in Chelsea colours, Thiago Silva bid a tearful farewell to the Stamford Bridge faithful.

“I love you so much guys. I miss you, bye-bye!” the misty-eyed centre-back declared, as Blues fans responded with cries of ‘Oh, Thiago Silva!’

With overwhelming respect in the bank from the Premier League giants, Silva left west London in July 2024 to return to Fluminense.

Only 12 months have passed since they separated, but Tuesday night will present an emotional reunion at the Club World Cup.

Fluminense take on Chelsea in the semi-finals, live on talkSPORT, with Silva set to don the captain’s armband against his former side.

Bear in mind, the Brazilian is at the veteran age of 40-years-old and in the twilight stages of what has been an outstanding career.

However, it’s the latest chapter in a legendary story that almost came to a tragic end just as his footballing adventure got underway.

Silva first trialled for Fluminense before he moved to hometown club Barcelona Esporte Clube and then RS Futebol Clube.

He turned professional in 2002 and later snubbed Italian giants Roma to join Esporte Clube Juventude, moving from midfield to defence.

Porto signed him in 2004 but after being limited to appearances in their reserve team, Silva left after one year for Dynamo Moscow.

Silva spent six months in hospital and was even told by doctors that he could have died if he was admitted just two weeks later.

“The doctors in Russia wanted to perform surgery on my lung, and I certainly wouldn’t have played football again,” he revealed.

With so much time spent away from the pitch, Silva told his mother Angela he wanted to retire – This was ultimately premature.

Thanks to his former Juventude coach Ivo Wortmann, he returned to Fluminense in 2006 and ensured his career was back on track.

It was during his initial senior spell at the club that Silva was given the nickname ‘O Monstro’, which means ‘The Monster’ in Portuguese.

Fluminense won the Copa do Brasil for the first time ever in 2007 and the centre-back played every single minute of their campaign.

Silva continued to impress and earned further European interest, and it was AC Milan who helped him go to the next level.

Following his debut against Siena in August 2009, he was given huge praise by the legendary Paolo Maldini.

“I like him a lot,” the five-time European Cup winner said: “He has the physical and technical characteristics of a champion.”

Silva did in fact become a champion as Milan won the 2010/11 Serie A title before beating rivals Inter Milan to the Supercoppa Italiana.

And after three years in Italy, Paris Saint-Germain welcomed him in a reported €42million [£36million] move.

Regarded as the ‘best defender in the world’ by president Nasser Al Khelaifi, Silva went on to become a four-time quadruple winner.

PSG won Ligue 1, the Coupe de France, the Coupe de la Ligue and the Trophee des Champions in 2014/15, 2015/16, 2017/18 and 2019/20.

The latter season saw them reach the Champions League final for the first time ever, but they were beaten 1-0 by Bayern Munich.

Silva was the first Brazilian in competition’s history to start as captain in the final, which was his final appearance for PSG.

Chelsea signed him on a one-year deal in August 2020, with club icon Frank Lampard his next manager.

A poor run of form at the beginning of 2021 saw Lampard replaced by Thomas Tuchel, who worked with Silva at PSG a year prior.

They replicated their Champions League run by reaching the final in Porto, where they faced Premier League champions Manchester City.

Despite being forced off just before half-time through injury, Silva went on to collect a winners’ medal as Chelsea emerged 1-0 victors.

His contract was extended by another 12 months, with the renewal then met by UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup title wins.

Chelsea endured a dreadful 2022/23 campaign with a 12th-place finish in the Premier League and only 11 wins from their 38 fixtures.

But Silva remained at the Blues for one final season, which ended with that emotional speech in SW6 ahead of his return to Brazil.

Although he turns 41 on September 22, he has made 40 appearances for Fluminense throughout his second spell.

His most recent outing came as captain during their 2-1 win over Al Hilal in the quarter-finals of the Club World Cup.

Fluminense have been one of the tournament’s standout performers, with Silva unsurprisingly having a huge influence on their run.

The defensive superstar delivered a passionate speech before their 2-0 last 16 win against his former rivals Inter.

Silva has missed just one of their five matches at the Club World Cup, and the sixth awaits as the biggest one of all.

Opponents Chelsea will face a Brazilian side for the third time after a 3-1 defeat to Flamengo and 2-1 triumph over Palmeiras.

Many of their players – Reece James, Enzo Fernandez and Cole Palmer, to name a few – will be fully aware of what they’re coming up against.

Silva is on a mission to send Fluminense to an unprecedented final at the Club World Cup against either former side PSG or Real Madrid.

For just 90 minutes, or potentially 120 and penalties, he and Chelsea will have to put their mutual admiration aside.

Should Palmeiras get the job done and then become champions, Silva will forever be regarded as one of football’s all-time greats.

But even if Chelsea were to advance, he will continue the final stages of an outstanding career that has turned into an inspirational story.

Resilience, determination and passion not only describe his character as a player, but also the man that he has become.

Silva has created a legacy that demonstrates what can be achieved when the unwanted thought of giving up is ultimately ignored.

Talksport.com