Chelsea defender Thiago Silva sends message to Fluminense fans; rejects retirement talk | OneFootball

Chelsea defender Thiago Silva says retirement is still some years away.

Turning 38 in the early weeks of next season, the Chelsea defender is contracted until the end of the 2022/23 campaign having enjoyed a career renaissance at Stamford Bridge.

While still a stalwart of Thomas Tuchel's defence ahead of today's FA Cup final, Silva has no plans to hang up his boots yet.

“It's very difficult to talk about the future because you never know what's going to happen, but in my mind I'm projecting myself to play until I'm 40," he told the Telegraph.

“I don't know if I'm going to get there, you never know with these things, but that's what I'm preparing for in my mind."

Silva began his career in Brazil before a move to Porto as a teenager was disrupted by a long spell in hospital with tuberculosis. After finally regaining his fitness having considered quitting the game, he signed for Fluminense and excelled before returning to Europe.

“Fluminense is the club I would like to finish at," he added.

“It was the club where I played after I had my illness and it's the club who opened the door for me after that stage and believed in me when nobody thought Thiago Silva would still make it as a player. As incredible as it may seem, it's the club that I support as well."