In January 2007, Fluminense FC welcomed Thiago Silva to the club. The Brazilian player rekindled the flame of his soccer career by gaining Fluminense's trust despite suffering from tuberculosis. Silva fondly recalled, "My feelings for Fluminense are well known. Even when I was suffering from tuberculosis, they still opened their arms to me. I am eternally grateful."
At Fluminense's youth camp, Thiago Silva grew to become a defensive cornerstone of Brazilian soccer. Not only did he help the team win the 2007 Copa do Brasil, but he was also named in the starting lineup for the Copa América. Silva quickly became a fan favorite, and in 2008, he helped his team reach their first Copa Libertadores final, losing on penalties to Sporting University of Quito, but not before.
An important turning point in Thiago Silva's soccer career occurred on August 13, 2008, in the group stage of the men's soccer team at the Beijing Olympics. At the age of 23 at the time, he played alongside Isinho for the Brazilian national team. That same year, he won the bronze medal with the team at the Olympics and made his debut for the national team two months later in the World Qualifiers.
In 2008, Thiago Silva not only appeared in the Olympics, but also made his national team debut, reaching the final of the Copa Libertadores and winning the league's best player. The attention of the Brazilian Liga and the Confederation of South American Football (CONCACAF) put him in the center of the soccer world, and in January 2009 he opened a new chapter in Europe by joining AC Milan for a transfer fee of 10 million euros.
Thiago Silva was a revelation at Milan in the 09-10 season, with Maldini hailing him as having "all the characteristics of a champion" and Nesta calling him "a great player". As a mentor, he quickly established himself in the Apennines and led Brazil to the World Cup in South Africa.
At the World Cup in South Africa, Coach Dunga paired 32 year old Lucio with 31 year old Juan at center back. Though 25-year-old Thiago Silva did not get a chance to play in the World Cup, he saw his team fall short of the quarterfinals once again. 2011 Copa America saw Silva replace Juan and partner Lucio at center back. Neymar's rise to the top of the table brought new hope to Brazil, and Silva, along with Neymar, shouldered the burden of Brazil's defense and offense, leading the team through a difficult period.
Thiago Silva helped AC Milan win the Serie A title in the 10-11 season, himself earning just one yellow card in 42 games and making cameo appearances in midfield when the team was short of personnel. He was voted Milan's best player and won the title of best player in Serie A by La Gazzetta dello Sport.
