There are many ways to start this piece. A simple yet effective birthday message. A subtle nod to past achievements. Perhaps even a slightly abstract take on the ageing process in which Thiago Silva is grappling inside a mystical penalty area against Father Time himself.
Or on the day that Silva celebrates his 38th birthday, we leave it to his national team coach, Tite, to cut through the noise and highlight exactly why the Chelsea and Brazil star is viewed as one of the very finest defenders of his generation – or of any generation, in fact.
"He makes things so easy but they are hard as hell."
