39 Facts About Gilberto Silva

Gilberto Aparecido da Silva is a Brazilian former professional footballer who played as a defensive midfielder most notably for English Premier League club Arsenal, Super League club Panathinaikos FC, Clube Atletico Mineiro and the Brazil national team.

Gilberto Silva then returned to Brazil in 2011, signing for Gremio, where he remained for two years, before returning to Atletico to win the 2013 Copa Libertadores prior to retiring.

Gilberto Silva featured at senior level for much of his international career, representing Brazil over a period of 9 years.

Gilberto Silva enjoyed a period of sustained success with his country, as he featured prominently in their victorious campaign at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, as well as being a core component as the team won the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup, while featuring as captain in their Copa America win in 2007.

Gilberto Silva retired from international football after the 2010 FIFA World Cup, having made 93 appearances for Brazil.

Gilberto Silva's family lived in a small house which his father built, in the district of Usina Luciania.

In 1991, Gilberto Silva's father retired leaving the 16-year-old to provide financially for his whole family, a task made more difficult by his mother's ill-health.

In 1997, Gilberto Silva's friends convinced him to give football another try, which led to him re-signing for America Mineiro in 1997, this time as a full-time professional.

Aged 22, Gilberto Silva played as a central defender for the first team.

Gilberto Silva scored three goals in the 2001 season and became a revelation in Brazilian club football.

When Gilberto Silva moved to England and began training with Arsenal, he bought a house in St Albans, South Hertfordshire.

Gilberto Silva played in 32 of Arsenal's 38 unbeaten Premier League games during the season.

You only have to see where Gilberto Silva was when we got the ball back and where he was when he scored his goal.

Gilberto Silva's doctor ordered him to wear a back brace for three months to aid the healing of the fractured bone.

Gilberto Silva returned to his native Brazil for the duration of his rehabilitation.

Gilberto Silva's absence, combined with Arsenal's slump in form at the time, led to much discussion regarding the importance of Gilberto to the Arsenal team; some suggesting that Arsenal struggled without him.

Shortly into the season, in September 2005, his desire to see his career out with the club led to Gilberto Silva extending his Arsenal contract to June 2009.

Gilberto Silva began the season well, as he scored the first ever goal at the Dutch DSB Stadion in a pre-season friendly match.

Gilberto Silva's goal scoring record combined with his own good form in midfield and his leadership of Wenger's youthful squad led some Arsenal fans and football pundits to label Gilberto Silva as Arsenal's best player of the season, and one of the best in the Premier League.

However, reports that he was being snubbed at the club were dismissed by Wenger, who insisted that Gilberto Silva would remain at Arsenal to fight for his place.

Gilberto Silva ended up playing the game in midfield though, with he and Wenger both denying rumours of a rift with each other.

Gilberto Silva subsequently commented that while he was not happy being a substitute, he would remain professional and fight for his place at the club.

The speculation concluded when Gilberto Silva agreed terms with the Athenian side on 17 July 2008, for an undisclosed fee.

On 23 May 2011, Gilberto Silva ended his 9-year career in Europe by signing an 18-month deal with Gremio, of Porto Alegre.

On 9 December 2012, Gilberto Silva was welcomed at Aeroporto dos Confins by fans of Atletico Mineiro, returning to the Belo Horizonte side after 11 years away.

Gilberto Silva spoke of winning the 2013 Copa Libertadores title upon his return.

Gilberto Silva achieved this wish on 24 July 2013, with a final victory over Club Olimpia of Paraguay.

In October 2001, his good performances from that year earned Gilberto Silva a call up to the Brazil national team by Luiz Felipe Scolari for the 2002 World Cup qualification games.

Gilberto Silva was expected to play a small part in the tournament.

In light of the setback, coach Scolari called upon Gilberto Silva to fill the gap which Emerson left.

Gilberto Silva ended up playing in every minute of every match of the tournament, which Brazil went on to win.

Gilberto Silva was not without attacking use either, setting up Ronaldo's semi-final goal to put Brazil through to the final.

Gilberto Silva was substituted on in two games, and started twice due to another injury to Emerson.

On 1 June 2007, Gilberto Silva captained Brazil against England at the first senior international match at the new Wembley Stadium.

Gilberto Silva is good at helping to defend against opponents who play a long ball game because he often man marks the opposition's attacking target-man.

Gilberto Silva is a patron of The Street League, a UK based charity which organises football matches for homeless people, refugees and asylum seekers.

Gilberto Silva has a giant anteater named after him at London Zoo.

Gilberto Silva is an adoptee of the animal, which he received from a London Zoo competition winner.

Gilberto Silva worked for the BBC as part of their coverage of the 2022 Fifa World Cup in Qatar.