Brazil legend Thiago Silva has been included in Brazil’s preliminary 55-man squad ahead of the upcoming FIFA World Cup, marking his first return to the national team setup since the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The experienced defender has not featured for Brazil since their quarterfinal exit against Croatia almost three years ago. Many believed his international career had already come to an end, but the veteran centre-back is now back in contention under new Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti.
The inclusion is only part of the extended pre-World Cup squad for now, with the final selection yet to be confirmed. Ancelotti is expected to make the final decision on the official squad next week.
Sources close to the Brazil camp suggest Ancelotti values Thiago Silva’s leadership, experience, and winning mentality. The Italian coach also knows the defender well from his years in European football and reportedly believes the veteran can still offer stability to the national side.