Thiago Silva admits to post-World Cup depression

Brazil defender Thiago Silva has admitted he suffered from a bout of depression after the host nation’s humiliating 7-1 loss to Germany in the semi-finals of the 2014 World Cup.

Thiago Silva (right), who missed the semifinal encounter with Germany through suspension, consoling David Luiz who captained the side on that fateful day.

Brazil defender Thiago Silva has admitted he suffered from a bout of depression after the host nation’s humiliating 7-1 loss to Germany in the semi-finals of the 2014 World Cup.

In an interview which aired on Canal+ on Sunday, the Paris Saint-Germain captain was asked whether he was affected by depression following the World Cup, to which he replied: “Yes. It was a somewhat difficult period.

“(PSG) president (Nasser Al-Khelaifi) gave me lots of guidance. He told me: ‘You’re the best defender in the world, but you still need to work more’. I told him: ‘President, I always work. But in my head, I don’t know what’s happening, there’s a problem’.”

Silva also spoke about his omission from recent Brazil squads, with the 31-year-old having been overlooked by Dunga since the Selecao’s quarter-final exit to Paraguay at last year’s Copa America.

“I don’t know what exactly is going on. I’m telling the truth. Everyone has forgotten that, even if I think I was responsible, that I didn’t actually play against Germany (due to suspension). Everyone thinks it was my fault...it’s not my fault.”

He also thanked PSG coach Laurent Blanc for his support during those trying times.

“Every day, a journalist asks him if he is going to continue to play me, because I wasn’t playing as well. He always responded that I was going to carry on, that I was the captain. And that gives you confidence,” said Silva.