Player of the season nominees: Thiago Silva

Over this past season, Silva’s presence in the back four has tremendously reduced worries to ponder over for the coaching staff at PSG. A season before Silva’s arrival at the French capital saw the team concede 41 goals at the back in Ligue. But in 2012-13 with Silva administering the back four, Paris Saint-Germain had only 23 goals scored against them.

He might have been at PSG just for a single season but that didn’t stop fellow Brazilian and former PSG centre back, Ricardo, from declaring Silva as the best defender in the club’s history. Speaking in his interview with the Le Parisien, Ricardo said, “He is already among the best defenders in the history of Brazil, alongside Mozer, Julio Cesar and Aldair. If he wins the World Cup next year he will become the greatest of all time. He is already the best defender in PSG’s history.”

In the beginning of the 2012-13 season, suspensions and injuries haltered Silva’s progress at PSG. But the stalwart defender was quick to bounce back and proved his worth by aiding his side keep the most clean sheets in 2012-13. The captain of the Rouge et Bleu also marked first season in France’s top flight by securing a spot in the Ligue 1 Team of the Year and earning a much deserved nomination in the Player of the Year ballot. And not to forget, PSG were crowned as Ligue 1 Champions for the first time in 19 years.

Outings with the Brazilian National Team

For Brazil too, Thiago Silva dons the captain’s armband despite having earned less than 40 caps. He scored his first goal for the Samba boys in a victory over cross-continent rivals, the United States.

For years, the Brazilian National team switched around players for the captain’s armband with the Selecao, seeming to finally find their dream leader. While the team has stars such as Neymar and Oscar who are more flamboyant footballers, Silva resorts to commanding respect with his calm yet charismatic approach to the game. The decision to hand Silva the captaincy was therefore simple. But with that was heaped a huge pile of pressure but over the course of 2013-13, Silva didn’t disappoint one bit.

Rarely will you see the centre back yell at his teammates or flash his frustration as a defender. Instead, he ceaselessly runs around the pitch, reassuring players and coaches of the stability he creates within the back four. Even if he loses out in a battle, he will be quick to run back and counter the same opponent.

Thiago Silva is also modest of his achievements and prefers to share them with his teammates – a characteristic that has earned him from praise from several legends of the game. A definite highlight of Thiago Silva’s 2013 summer with the Brazilian National Team was when he led the team to the Confederations Cup title. Playing at home, Silva and the Brazilians unfurled their might against the so called invincibility of Spain and South American ascendancy of Uruguay.

Even the likes of the Andres Iniesta, Luis Suarez and Edison Cavani found it incredibly hard to surge past this monster of defender who had more than his fair share of interceptions, tackles and clearances. With another mention in the Confederations Cup’s best eleven, Thiago Silva has unanimously cemented his stature in club and international football as the world’s best defender.

What is next for Thiago Silva?

Silva is to be bestowed with the decree of being the world’s best defender at the moment. As he has consistently evinced with his visionary performances, the Brazilian is sure to be a treat to watch in 2013-14. While reports link him with another move in his club career, Silva’s ability to flourish in any team’s setup will not hinder his proficiency as a team leader or being a venturesome defensive magnate.

If 2012-13 was a sight of Thiago Silva’s dominance in the leagues of France or in international football, 2013-14 may not be any different. And he better be in his customary bests of form if he wants to lead his national side to a sixth World Cup crown next summer on home soil.

Click here to view the rest of the Player of the Season nominees