Thiago Silva Opens Up: The Emotional Toll of PSG’s Champions League Obsession

Former Paris Saint-Germain and current Chelsea defender Thiago Silva recently opened up about his time with the French giants. The veteran confessed how disappointing it was not to win the UEFA Champions League with PSG.

Nonetheless, the Brazilian did explain the emotional toll it took on the players every season that the French giants didn’t win Europe’s top trophy. If the squad won Ligue 1 and the Coupe de France in one season, it would be deemed a failure because they hadn’t won the Champions League.

“The pressure for the Champions League was too strong,” Silva told Le Parisien. “It was something that hurt me because I saw the situation change, and the pressure increased to win. But that’s not how you win. It’s a question of consistency year after year.”

Silva and Co. eventually made the Champions League final in 2020 but fell to Bayern Munich. The center-back would leave after that season to sign with Chelsea. More importantly, he would win the 2021 Champions League with the Premier League club.

Meanwhile, PSG is shifting its transfer policy away from big-name players. The Parisians want to build a team that might not have name recognition but plays together and isn’t dependent on an individual player’s skills.