There are interviews that impact you more than others. The one that Marquinhos granted us on Thursday in order to honor his record of matches played with PSG (437 matches) is clearly one of them. Invited to answer questions from those close to him and several emblematic figures of the capital club who had sent them to us in video format, the Brazilian captain spoke with sincerity, frankness, happiness during this interview mixing nostalgia, laughter, memories and , above all, strong and beautiful emotions.
In the space of a few minutes, Marquinhos completely split the armor and was hit in the heart when he read the note sent by his former teammate Thiago Silva. His broad smile exhibited when watching the first seconds of his compatriot's video gradually disappeared when the current Chelsea defender asked him the following question: “Your mother told me one day that you dreamed of playing with me . You accomplished your dream. Today, I would like to ask you if this dream lived up to what you imagined or if it was a bluff? »
With misty eyes and a tight throat, the PSG captain could not contain his emotion or his tears in front of the message from the man who was his youth idol with whom he spent seven years in the capital. A poignant, rare, powerful moment for a high-level footballer testifying to his pride at having been able to share the daily life of a player who has inspired him since he was little.
“Thiago, it’s something that…
(he stops for several seconds, overcome by emotion)
These are tears of pride, above all, explains the Parisian number 5. It's hard to talk.
(Sobs in the voice)
. When you start playing football, you start with dreams, goals, you want to accomplish things.
(He takes a breath)
And when I was 15,16 years old, I saw Thiago on television. I was a young player who dreamed of becoming a professional, who wanted to help his family. »
“He was a source of motivation in my signing in Paris”
Marquinhos continues: “He was a role model, an idol for me because I appreciated his way of playing, even if I didn't know him personally. He was someone very distant to me. When I had the opportunity to sign for PSG
(in 2013)
, pfff, I didn't even think twice because there was Thiago and all the other Brazilians. He was a source of motivation in my signing in Paris. »
With these words, we understand to what extent Thiago Silva was an integral part of Marquinhos' personal history. And the admiration he had for her during his youth spent in Brazil, before transforming into a rich cohabitation of seven seasons in Paris, explains the attitude of a man simply touched to have been able to share his daily life with his idol.
It was with the same emotion and the same pride, which we could read through his moist eyes, that he then spoke of his relationship with his compatriot and this famous moment when his mother let Thiago Silva know that his son dreamed of playing with him…
“The years passed and a great friendship was born. At the beginning, it was very difficult for me to see him, to be next to him every day and over time, our trust in each other grew, confides the Brazilian. One day we were in front of the training center. My mother was there, she took a photo with Thiago and she said these words to him. I was all red, I was ashamed
(he smiles)
. It was very powerful for him to hear that from the mother of a teammate. For me too it was very strong. I didn't ask him anything and it came out naturally.
(Throat tight)
Since that day, I saw the pride Thiago had when I was next to him. »
“Today he’s a friend. It’s my greatest pride”
In total, the two central defenders shared 228 matches together, including 187 under the red and blue tunic of PSG between 2013 and 2020. Seven seasons during which, big brother and model Thiago Silva and little brother Marquinhos ended up becoming true friends.
“Our relationship was very strong. He is someone who made my life in football easier. It was very easy to work with him because he is an extraordinary player, the strongest defender I have played with, says Marquinhos. I was able to learn a lot of things from him. I can confirm that it was very important and very powerful to work with him because there was a desire, an ambition to play with my idol. I succeeded and today he is a friend. It's my greatest pride. »