Chelsea defender Thiago Silva has paid tribute to former Milan President Silvio Berlusconi. ‘He taught me what it means to be a Milanista and I still am today.’
Berlusconi was in charge of the club for over 30 years, winning 21 trophies including the European Cup, Serie A and the Intercontinental Cup.
It was during that tenure that Thiago Silva was signed from Fluminense in 2009 and remained until the sale to PSG in 2012.
“He showed me his immense passion for Milan and taught me what it means to be a Milanista. It’s a wonderful, important memory for me and I still say Forza Milan today,” the Brazilian told Tuttomercatoweb.
“Leonardo negotiated everything, but President Berlusconi and Adriano Galliani helped me to understand what Milan really means. Their love for the club helped me understand that I could not make any mistakes.”
Berlusconi has died at the age of 86 after suffering from leukaemia for two years.
He had since moved on to a new project at Monza, taking the club from Serie C to their first ever top flight campaign.
Even at 86, the former Prime Minister was still always first with a joke and eager to enjoy himself rather than be a staid President who clamped down on his players.
“We met with the President the day before a derby against Inter,” added Thiago Silva.
“A player in the squad had a party that week and we thought that was it, he was in real trouble, but instead Berlusconi turned to our teammate and said ‘if next time you don’t invite me to the party, then you are out of Milan.’ The day after, we won the derby!”