Benfica and Porto battle over Brazil's national team legacy | OneFootball

Thiago Silva is on the radar of national rivals. According to reports from the Italian press, the Brazilian center-back, aged 41, is about to end his stint with Fluminense and is considering a return to European football, with Benfica - who want to give Mourinho a gift - and Porto appearing on the list of possible candidates.

According to Nicolò Schira, the Brazilian international, who has already turned 41, feels he still has the ability to play at the highest level in the Old Continent. Thus, a year and a half after joining Fluminense, Thiago Silva could be returning to Europe as early as the next January transfer window.

The Italian journalist places the Eagles and Dragons on the trail of the experienced defender, who already had a brief spell in Portugal in 2005, when he wore the FC Porto shirt, although without making any official appearances. Thiago Silva would be seen as an immediate reinforcement both for Benfica - where José Mourinho only has three natural center-backs: Otamendi, António Silva, and Tomás Araújo - and for Porto, who, despite having a wider range of options, are looking for a big name to fill the gap left by Nehuén Pérez's serious injury.

However, according to Nicolò Schira, the Portuguese giants are not alone in the race for the former Fluminense defender. Information coming from Italy indicates that Milan is also keeping an eye on Thiago Silva's situation, a significant name in the history of the Rossoneri, where he played at the highest level between 2009 and 2012, before moving to PSG.

Thiago Silva - currently valued at 600 thousand euros - is considered one of the greatest names in Brazilian football. In the 2025 season, wearing the Fluminense shirt, the defender, who is nearing the end of his contract with the Rio club, scored four goals and provided one assist in 46 official matches.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.