If he retired after WC-06, how would it have been possible for him to be rated the best now?
He would be retired...

Notice how I say he's overated becuase people are saying he's in the top 5 current defenders. So yes, I think he's incredibly over-rated at this moment in time, and it'll stay that way until people have a more realistic opinion on him/he starts playing like one of te best in the World again. The same goes for anyone, too much stock is held in how good players were, past ability means absoloutely nothing in football (when talking about how god someone).

My Dream Is To Win The Champions League With Milan - Thiago Silva
Paolo Maldini's departure has left Silva with the burden of keeping strikers at bay, but that has not deterred him from aiming for the Champions League...

Milan defender Thiago Silva is ready to step up to the plate, fill the void left by Paolo Maldini and win the Champions League.

The stopper is eager to become the protagonist of a season in which the Rossoneri are aiming for both Serie A and European Cup success.

"There are no words for Maldini, I have studied his play, and now I will be playing alongside Alessandro Nesta," Silva told La Gazzetta Dello Sport.

"I have been waiting for this first official game with Milan for a long time, and I don't feel scared of the responsibility I have.

"There are great attacking sides in Italy, but I don't fear any team."

The Rossoneri have returned to Europe's elite competition following last year's absence, and Silva harbours hope of lifting the trophy come the Madrid final in May.

"My dream is to win the Champions League," he stated.

Salvatore Landolina, Goal.com

Milan were held to a scoreless draw by Bari last night at the San Siro stadium, a result that they achieved without their injured central defender Thiago Silva.

The Rossoneri failed to score for the fourth time in six league fixtures this season; however the injured Brazilian discussed the strength of his side’s defensive half, particularly his partnership with Alessandro Nesta.

"Nesta is without doubt one of the best players that I have ever played with,” Thiago Silva declared to Sky.

“I feel perfectly at ease with him, making me very confident when taking to the field.

“I feel that this partnership of ours will be very beneficial for Milan, and I’m sure that we will do everything possible to get a win for a club again very soon.”

The coach of the Rossoneri, Leonardo, is under immense pressure at present to deliver, after recording just two victories in six matches thus far.

He continued, “I think that the most important thing is to remain calm, as the players are feeling good on the field at the moment.

“There are problems in the dressing room, however these are problems that always arise when you are finding it hard to win and achieve the desired results. This has been uniting us even more though, and it has also been strengthening our personal relationships.

“We are very united, we are all working together, and we have belief in our coach Leonardo, who is doing a great job.”

“The players are feeling good on the field at the moment."

Some of you are feeling too good... ****ers!

i think he can really develop into a very solid CB, i would love to see him Paired with Kjaer though

aye laddie, agree with you there sugar plum.

According to what's written on wiki (...) his previous adventure in Europe was plagued by injuries... I hope he's not as injury prone as it seems.

AC Milan Will Win If Ronaldinho And Pato Play Better - Thiago Silva
The defender has urged his Brazilian forwards to shine for the good of the club...

AC Milan defender Thiago Silva believes his side will come good and deliver the needs of the club if Ronaldinho and Pato play to their best.

Silva, who has been out of action through injury, is set to return against Roma next week. The Rossoneri have struggled domestically and on the continent, and Silva has now called for his Brazilian colleagues to gel, hoping it can be the catalyst to success.

"Ronaldinho is a good person and we are friends on and off the pitch. It's always positive being with him," Silva told the club's official website.

"We have been going though a difficult period. But, if Ronaldinho and Pato play well, then Milan will get back to winning ways."

Silva then spoke of his own will to return and can see the Roma clash as a springboard to bouncing back from the negative trend.

"I feel fine and I am ready to play against Roma thanks to the help of the Milan staff," added the defender.

"I can't wait to return, and we have to take advantage of the game against Roma."

Salvatore Landolina, Goal.com

wow i had NO idea he played in Portugal & Russia, he's so young, i guess he has seen his fair share of world football, especially during the olympics in 08

AC Milan Will Win If Ronaldinho And Pato Play Better - Thiago Silva

...and if I was a World class football I would be playing for Milan. What a stupid thing to say.

But remember, footballers are not generally known for their intellect and intelligent responses in interviews.

...and if I was a World class football I would be playing for Milan. What a stupid thing to say.

The thing is, both Pato and Ronaldinho can play better, you on the other hand could have never been a world class football... you continue to forget the 'er' by the way.

I think Silva has been our most underrated player so far. Nesta is great, he gets credit. Pato is great, he gets credit. etc. but I don't see Silva getting the credit he deserves. really happy with his signing.

I think Silva has been our most underrated player so far. Nesta is great, he gets credit. Pato is great, he gets credit. etc. but I don't see Silva getting the credit he deserves. really happy with his signing.

“I scored an important goal for the team, for the group. In the dressing room they teased me as they said I scored a brace (he laughs). The important thing is that we played well, with personality. It’s difficult to play against teams like Lazio who possess quality players, who shoot well, but in the end we won and this is the most important thing. With regards to myself, I’m happy to work well, everyone speaks well about me and I’m happy about this.” Thiago Silva

A.C. MILAN: COMUNICATO UFFICIALE
11/11/2009
Oggi pomeriggio Thiago Silva è stato convocato dalla Nazionale Brasiliana per due partite amichevoli contro Inghilterra (14 novembre a Doha, Qatar) e Oman (17 novembre a Muscat, Oman). Il Milan ha deciso di rilasciare il giocatore, aderendo così alla richiesta dei verdeoro, nonostante questa fosse arrivata fuori tempo massimo secondo i Regolamenti della FIFA, alla luce dei buoni rapporti esistenti con la CBF stessa.

Also fyi, saw on eurosport/tuttomercatoweb/etc that Luisao had an emergency appendectomy this morning. Looks like Silva is his replacement.

He better not get hurt.

A.C. MILAN OFFICIAL NOTE
12/11/2009
A.C. Milan communicate that today the footballers Daniele Bonera and Thiago Silva were subjected to medical exams. Bonera has a problem to his left knee and will return after the Christmas break. Thiago Silva has a similar problem, which means the Brazilian player will do differentiated work until next Tuesday, when more medical checks will be made.

A.C. Milan communicate that today the footballer Thiago Silva has had an x-ray exam which gave comforting responses. The Brazilian defender has started running again, doing differentiated work. In the next few days his conditions will be evaluated in view of a possible availability for the match in Florence.

A.C. MILAN COMUNICATO UFFICIALE
15/12/2009
L’A.C. Milan comunica che oggi il calciatore Thiago Silva ha effettuato un’ecografia di controllo che ha dato esiti confortanti. Il difensore brasiliano ha ripreso a correre, svolgendo un lavoro differenziato. Nei prossimi giorni verranno valutate la sue condizioni in vista di un’eventuale disponibilità per la trasferta di Firenze.