When you look at Thiago Silva's legacy in football, it's hard not to rank the Brazilian as one of the best centre-backs to play the sport. He's an exceptional reader of the game, with his intelligence a big reason why he continues to play to this day.
Despite being told that he might not play football again after being diagnosed with tuberculosis in 2005, the defender has gone on to play over 100 games for AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea, all European powerhouses. Also leading by example for his country, Silva has played at four World Cups and has won 113 caps - a remarkable achievement considering his early struggles.
Playing at the highest level for over 22 years has seen the Champions League winner match up against some of the best players in football history, man-marking truly elite forwards in the most high-pressure situations. And, in a sit-down interview with Chelsea TV, Silva named and ranked the 10 toughest opponents he faced in his career.
10 Angel Di Maria
Angel Di Maria
Angel Di Maria has been an underrated cog for Argentina since breaking into the senior side back in 2008. Now the third-most capped player in La Albiceleste history, the diminutive winger has brought speed, incredible dribbling and a phenomenal left foot to Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, and even Manchester United for a brief spell.
Although the pair were teammates at PSG for a while, Silva has still faced Di Maria in five games - once while at AC Milan, and then on four occasions when Argentina have played Brazil. Winning three of those matches and losing just one, the defender was still left impressed by the forward's attacking ability.
"Di Maria because of his technical quality and his incredible left foot."
9 Kylian Mbappe
Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe celebrating
Silva must have breathed a huge sigh of relief when Kylian Mbappe swapped Monaco for PSG in 2017. The young French forward burst onto the scene, using his tremendous pace to tear Ligue 1 apart as he led the French side to a league title in 2016/17.
Since the striker's move to the Parc des Princes, the pair haven't locked horns again. Mbappe, now at Real Madrid, has gone on to dominate world and European football, becoming one of the best players in the world and a World Cup winner all while in the infancy of his career. But despite that, Silva remembers just how good the young prodigy was when the pair were on opposite sides.
"Mbappe because of his speed and also his technical quality."
8 Didier Drogba
Didier Drogba after scoring against Arsenal
A great number of centre-backs will tell you just how big a nightmare Didier Drogba was to play against. His strength made him a real handful, with him pinning defenders before he'd either lay the ball off for an onrushing teammate or use his body to generate space for a shot.
Silva only played against Drogba on one occasion - a 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge back in 2014/15. But he expressed just how impressed he was with the Chelsea number nine's physicality and his skill on the ball.
"Drogba because of his physical strength and despite being incredibly strong, he still has a lot of technical skill.
7 Roberto Firmino
Roberto Firmino
Liverpool's number nine for eight years might not have been the most devastating centre-forward, but what he brought to their frontline cannot be understated. Roberto Firmino's link-up play and flair allowed others around him to thrive, something which Silva also saw firsthand for Brazil.
He featured for the Selecao alongside the defender during their triumph in the 2019 Copa America, and faced him three times - twice while at PSG, and in the Carabao Cup final between Chelsea and Liverpool in 2022/23. Silva believed it was his movement which made him so tough to deal with.
"Firmino, he has incredible technical quality. He is very intelligent in his movement that leaves defenders a bit lost."
6 Romario
Brazil's Romario holding a Brazilian flag.
Silva's career was just getting started when he played his only match against Romario, who had been a senior professional for 19 years. Fluminense played Juventude in 2004, with the veteran emerging victorious in the match.
While he didn't score in the match, Romario had made a name for being one of the best finishers in the world. Scoring 128 times in just 148 matches while at PSV Eindhoven, he also enjoyed a productive spell at Barcelona, ending his two-year spell at the Camp Nou with 39 goals. When it came to goalscoring, he had no equal in Silva's eyes.
"Romario because of his intelligence in the box. He’s the best I’ve seen in the box."
5 Adriano
Adriano during his days with Inter Milan
Many will remember Adriano for his 99-shot power on Pro Evolution Soccer, but the Brazilian had all the capabilities to become one of the greatest players in his nation's history. Unfortunately, the death of his father in 2004 derailed his career, as he described how he'd been left with a hole in his soul.
Then at Inter Milan, he was loaned to Sao Paulo in 2008 as the Italian side attempted to help him bounce back, and it was there where he played against Silva in the quarter-finals of the Copa Libertadores. Fluminense and the centre-back would ultimately emerge victorious, but Adriano did score and amazed his fellow Brazilian.
"Adriano, like Drogba, was an incredible physical force with an unbelievable powerful left-foot penalty shot."
4 Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Zlatan Ibrahimović
A man never short of confidence, Zlatan Ibrahimovic always backed his talk up on the pitch. From absolute rockets to acrobatic efforts, Sweden's all-time top scorer was an elite finisher, and Silva was able to see that up close. The pair shared the pitch on 195 occasions, with the defender describing how his former PSG teammate inspired him.
"I’m going to say Ibrahimovic as the fourth there because he is a guy that inspired me and I think he has inspired many kids to inspire what they are doing.
"He was a black belt before he became a footballer and then after, he found himself football. He’s a guy that I admire a lot. I had the chance to play with and against him and, obviously, he’s the fourth best in my list."
3 Neymar
Neymar
If you think of the most technically gifted players ever, a good few people will think of Neymar. The former Barcelona and PSG star brought favela flair to the pitch, with Pele hailing him as more gifted than Lionel Messi when he was still a 19-year-old at Santos.
While Neymar might not have gone on to surpass the Argentine's legacy in his career, no player has scored more goals for Brazil in their history (79). Having played with him on numerous occasions and faced him four times, Silva spoke highly about his compatriot's skill.
"Neymar because of his class, intelligence and magic. He is a player that impresses me with his technical quality and his ability to create out of nowhere."
2 Cristiano Ronaldo
cristiano ronaldo
Silva's sole victory against Cristiano Ronaldo came way back in 2008, with Brazil facing Portugal in an international friendly. Although that ended 6-2 in favour of the Selecao, the Portugal forward went on to get his revenge on two occasions.
Both of those came while Ronaldo was at the peak of his powers at Real Madrid, with his five Ballon d'Or's helping to make him one of the best players of all time. Similarly to Silva, Ronaldo has been able to play into his 40s, thanks to a rigorous training schedule and dedication. It is this discipline which allowed him to reach the top, and what the centre-back appreciates him for.
"Cristiano because of his professionalism, his dedication and passion for football. He is a guy I really admire for his commitment and for everything he has achieved."
1 Lionel Messi
Lionel Messi vs Colombia
Be it Silva or any other defender, chances are when you ask them for their toughest opponent, they'll say Lionel Messi. The Argentine's dribbling technique has allowed him to weave effortlessly between defenders throughout his career, embarrassing the likes of Jerome Boateng and many, many others.
Messi has come against Silva on 13 occasions throughout the years while the latter was playing for AC Milan, PSG and Brazil, scoring six goals against him in the process. With eight losses against his opponent, the most against anyone he's ever faced, the defender often struggled to keep him quiet, which is why the Barcelona legend is the best player he's ever faced.
"He has incredible quality and a God-given gift and because of the professional he is. For me he is the best.