Romano: Thiago Silva set for Fluminense farewell amid rumours of Milan return

Thiago Silva has decided to leave Fluminense, which might further fuel rumours about a potential return to AC Milan.

Last month, La Repubblica broke the sensational news that Milan are giving serious thought to the idea of bringing Thiago Silva back to the club 13 years after his exit back in 2012. The defender has supposedly begun pushing for a return to Europe, with his contract at Fluminense expiring.

Fluminense exit nailed on

According to Fabrizio Romano, Thiago Silva has indeed decided to leave Fluminense and ‘try a new chapter’ as a free agent ahead of 2026 World Cup. The 41-year-old will be available with immediate effect from January, and his priority is to return to Europe.

Corriere della Sera reported last week that the former PSG man wants to return to Milan, the club where he experienced some happy years and became a Scudetto winner. Milan meanwhile are believed to be looking for an experienced option for the rearguard.

Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images

Reports have suggested multiple reasons behind Thiago Silva’s decision to leave the club where he grew up and returned in 2024. One is personal, as his family and children did not accompany him to Brazil and still live in London (the 17-year-old Isago plays for Chelsea’s youth team).

The other is professional: in a recent interview with France Football, Silva confirmed his ambition to convince Carlo Ancelotti to call him up to the Brazilian national team for the next World Cup. Hence, his desire to spend the next six months in a more competitive environment.