10 Toughest Centre Backs At World Cup 2018

Questions are still being asked about whether or not Brazil would have capitulated so spectacularly in the 2014 World Cup semi-final, which they lost 7-1 to Germany, had Thiago Silva been on the pitch. He performed brilliantly throughout much of the tournament, even scoring a vital goal in the quarter final with Colombia, but was ruled out of the semi final clash due to suspension.

Evidently, the PSG captain will be hoping to put things right at what will surely be his final World Cup. At the age of 33, he hasn't got the same pace or flair of his earlier years but remains a great leader, a composed defender, and one of Brazil's best hopes of keeping clean sheets on their way to a successful World Cup campaign.

Consistently voted by fans and experts as one of the best defenders to ply his trade in Europe, Silva knows how it feels to win at club level and will want to lift a big trophy with his home nation before his playing days come to an end. This is his last chance, and he'll be putting everything on the line to help his team go the distance.