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The UEFA Champions League has returned, and Chelsea defender Thiago Silva has displayed his disappointment in missing out on competing in it. Fans have responded to a post from the Brazilian on X (formerly Twiter).
The Blues failed to qualify not only for Europe's elite club competition but Europe altogether after a disastrous 12th-placed league finish last season. It's the first time Silva, 38, won't be playing in the tournament since arriving in Europe at AC Milan in 2009.
Silva was part of the Chelsea side that won the 2020-21 Champions League and was key in that triumph. He made eight appearances, helping the west Londoners' keep five clean sheets.
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However, he will have to watch on as the English quartet of holders Manchester City, Manchester United, Arsenal and Newcastle United compete in the European competition. Silva displayed his displeasure in doing so with a tweet:
"Champions League (sad emoji)."
Chelsea haven't shown any signs of returning to the Champions League next season, following a poor start to this campaign.
Mauricio Pochettino's Blues have won one, drawn two and lost two of five league games. They're 14th in the league and enduring an injury crisis with 12 players missing in the goalless draw against Bournemouth on Sunday (September 17).
Fans have alluded to the Blues' struggles when reacting to Silva's post. One reckons he should be eyeing playing in the EFL Championship rather than Europe's elite club competition:
"You're closer to the Championship than the Champions League lad."
Here's how fans on X reacted to the Brazilian's post:
Thiago Silva deemed winning Champions League with Chelsea as most important moment of his career
Thiago Silva was delighted to have won the Champions League in 2021 after coming close to winning it the season before. He was part of a Paris Saint-Germain side that lost to Bayern Munich 1-0 in the 2020 final.
However, Silva bounced back from that disappointment and helped Chelsea win their second European title. He took part in the 1-0 final win against Manchester City and spoke shortly after about its significance (via The Sun):
"It's the most important moment of my career. It's unforgettable. But it's also a moment for recognition of everything Paris has done for me, but we failed to win it. "I'm very happy, and I hope that Paris will be able to get here soon."
Silva has won seven Ligue 1, one Serie A, five French Cups and the Copa America with Brazil. However, it's clear that he holds his Champions League triumph as his biggest achievement.
