Thiago Silva provides update on his Brazil future
- Silva has confirmed he has not retired from international football
- The centre back has not played for Brazil since the World Cup
- He has made himself available for selection
Veteran defender Thiago Silva has revealed he has not retired from international football despite not featuring for Brazil since the 2022 World Cup.
The 39-year-old as been capped 113 since making his international debut in 2008, but has not been called up to any of Brazil's squads since the World Cup in December - his last appearance being in the quarter-final defeat to Croatia.
While Silva's exclusion from the Brazil set-up during 2023 pointed to the defender potentially having retired from international football, speaking to the Guardian, the centre-back confirmed that that isn't the case.
"I leave it open and I leave it up to them. I'm not going to say that I'm out of the Selecao," he said.
Brazil have endured a torrid run of form without Silva since the World Cup, failing to win either of their games during October international break - losing to Uruguay and drawing with Venezuela in 2026 World Cup qualifiers. After these poor results, Silva has insisted that he's keen to "help" the national team get their qualification campaign back on track.
"If they want to call me up for the Copa America or the World Cup qualifiers to help in any way, I’m available. If they want me for what I’m showing for Chelsea, I'm here. I will always have my doors open for the Selecao," he said.
"I can't say that I don't want to be called up any more. If I have the opportunity to help these young people, I am available. I think you can never refuse the Selecao when it comes calling. I used to joke with Manoel [the Brazil kitman] that if I have to come as a kitman, I come as kitman and you leave. Or take out Serginho [Brazil massage therapist] and I come as massage therapist.
"But they are both my great friends within the team, I don't want to take anyone’s place. When the Selecao calls you, you have to be available. Regardless of the area you are in, especially in this process of renewal and arrival of a new coach, it is a new way of playing. If I can help I will certainly be there. I just don't want to get in the way."
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