The Brazilian summer is the stuff for all football romantics out there. As the warm sun cuts through a clear, cloudless blue sky, kids on the streets flock to play football in the balmy weather.
With the advent of Monsoon in September, the Brazilian favelas light up with matches played amongst young men and women in the local neighbourhoods, with the best tekkers and skills in full display, away from the professional, cut-throat tactical setups of European nations.
A, the top division in Brazil, is home to some of the best and most historic football clubs, and some of the best players to ever play the game have graced the green grass of Rio De Janeiro and Brasilia.
In Brazil, Neymar Jr., from the academy of Santos, would become one of the best footballers of his generation, playing for Barcelona alongside world-class legends like Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Andres Iniesta, Xavi etc., to name a few, with his name being mentioned as the third best footballer after Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
He would go on to be the most expensive football transfer of all time, being bought by French champions Paris St. Germain in 2017, for a whopping €222million, a record sum that has still not been toppled, eight years running. Since his debut, he would go on to become Brazil’s greatest goal-scorer, breaking records set by Pelé, with 79 goals in international matches.
A legend who wowed the world with his beautiful dribbling and tantalizing “joga bonito” football, Neymar Jr. had the world at his feet for most of his footballing career. After a career amassing silverware in Ligue 1 and La Liga and a brief, injury-ridden stint at Al-Hilal (Saudi Arabia), Neymar finally came back to where it all began, to the homely pastures of Santos F.C.
Thiago Silva’s name resounds through the halls of Stamford Bridge. The centreback, one of the world’s best defenders in his prime, has often been the very definition of underrated.
His journey too, is of immense hope and mental endurance. After contracting tuberculosis during his stint at Dynamo Moscow, in 2005, he joined Brazilian club Fluminense in 2006, where he recovered, building himself into a defensive wall who relied on his sharp game-reading skills over brute force and tackles.
A ball-playing defender, he joined AC Milan in 2009 and made a name for himself on the global stage, winning the Italian Serie A in 2010. He was signed to Paris St. Germain in 2012, where he cemented his status as club captain, and played alongside his countryman, Neymar Jr.. Silva would later join Chelsea in the summer of 2020, as a free agent at the age of 36, which led to many question marks over the transfer.
Most people thought he would be a good bench option for them, but he went on to be the first name on the team-sheet, winning the much-awaited Champions League in 2023 under the guidance of then-manager Thomas Tuchel.
His world-class performances, coupled with his excellent game-reading and calm demeanour, has earned him the spot of one of the best defenders of his generation. He now plays for the same Fluminense, donning the green and maroon jersey that he used to wear in his youth.
So, waking up to a highlight of 33-year-old Neymar and 40-year old Thiago Silva still showcasing their competitive spirit and eagerness to win, is a truly beautiful moment for fans of the game.
As Santos and Fluminense fought each other, Neymar and Thiago Silva had a shoving contest between the two during a free kick at the 37 minute mark.
Neymar & Thiago Silva 😂 pic.twitter.com/GjIGdS0dvH
— Ginga Bonito 🇧🇷 (@GingaBonitoHub) August 31, 2025
Neymar, his eyes on the ball, was marking Thiago Silva, and Silva was having none of it. It was interesting to see that despite so many years in the tank, the professional urge to win remains the same for the Brazilian superstars. However, the shoving seemed uncalled for, and fans wondered why Neymar was so keen on pushing Silva.
After the match, which ended in a goalless draw, the former club-and-country teammates reflected on their in-game moment.
Silva mentioned, “Beyond the rivalry, there is a friendship that resembles a brotherhood.”
Neymar said, “We are very good friends. But he knows that I always want to beat him. We are so competitive that at PSG and with the national team, they had to separate us because we argued. It’s an honor to be able to play against Thiago Silva.“
Looks like fans don’t need to worry too much about this “fight”. It seems like banter between two competitive legends who still hate losing, and there is definitely mutual respect, adoration, as well as competitiveness between them.
