Back to the Soccer Newsfeed

Thiago Silva Almost Died in Russia; Now He Has Returned for Glory with Brazil

When Ivo Wortmann signed a contract and arrived to take over as Dynamo Moscow coach in July 2005, he had little time to lose.

Wortmann, who as a player was part of Brazil's 1975 Copa America squad, headed straight to the stadium to watch his new side in action from a private box with his assistants.

Wortmann knew he had at least one exciting talent at his new club. Dynamo offered him a chance to reunite with Thiago Silva, a 20-year-old protege who he worked with at Juventude—his previous club back in Brazil.

Silva left Juventude for Portuguese giant Porto, who subsequently sent him to Russia on loan.