33

Thiago

Silva

Signed from Fluminense in December 2008, in accordance with the rules on non-Eu players Thiago Silva had to wait until the start of the following season to make his debut for AC Milan. During the six months he could not be registered, the Brazilian studied under his role model, Paolo Maldini. The apprenticeship under Maldini proved incredibly fruitful, as Thiago Silva's natural talent was refined leading him to become one of the best defenders in the world. A perfect of Brazilian flair and European tactics, with Alessandro Nesta he formed one of the most effective defensive partnerships in football.