Stamford Bridge was full of emotion on Sunday afternoon as the great Thiago Silva played his final game for the club against Bournemouth.
Silva returned to the starting line-up for the final time and completed the full 90 minutes as the Blues ran out 2-1 winners to secure a top six finish and a return to European competition next season.
Fans chanted his name throughout the game and a banner was unfurled in the Shed End before kick off thanking the Brazilian for everything he’s done for the club.
Silva says fans made him feel like a super hero
The 39-year-old arrived at Stamford Bridge four years ago on a free transfer from Paris Saint Germain and went on to make over 150 appearances for the club, winning the Champions League, Club World Cup and Uefa Super Cup.
Silva and his family embraced every aspect of the club, with his sons playing in the academy, whilst his wife would regularly attend games, with the Brazilian also an avid supporter of the women’s team.
In emotional scenes at full time Silva and his family were given a guard of honour as he walked out onto the Stamford Bridge pitch one last time to address the fans with an emotional speech.
The connection he formed with the fans is something you don’t see many players do and is really special, given he didn’t spend that long at the club.
After the game Silva spoke on why the bond is so special and how it’s helped him on the pitch.
“I’m not a superhero”, he told Chelsea’s website.
“But in those moments the fans chant my name, I felt like one.
“No matter if I was tired or if I was feeling a little bit down in the game, as soon as I heard the chants I felt re energised.
“That sensation, that emotion, I don’t really know how to explain it, it’s amazing and made me feel like I could save the team, like nothing bad was going to happen in the game.
“In this sense, Chelsea is special, that’s why even though I was here for four years, it has felt like a lifetime.
“Not bad for someone who was only coming for a season!”
The veteran centre back will return to Brazil for the final chapter of his career after signing a two year deal with Fluminense.