Thiago Silva has added yet another chapter to one of football’s most decorated careers, winning the Primeira Liga with FC Porto at the age of 41. The title, secured on 3 May 2026, brought his total haul of major honours to 33 — a collection that spans the Champions League, Copa America, Club World Cup, seven Ligue 1 titles, one Serie A, and now one Liga Portugal.
Silva marked the achievement on social media, writing: “A história deve ser respeitada. O presente deve ser celebrado.” — Portuguese for “History must be respected. The present must be celebrated.” The post drew widespread attention, not least because of a notable reply from former Chelsea captain John Terry.
Terry, widely considered one of the finest defenders in Chelsea’s history, used Silva’s celebratory post as an opportunity to take a pointed, if light-hearted, swipe at Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta. The comment drew attention to Arteta’s ongoing pursuit of a Premier League title, contrasting it with Silva’s sustained trophy-winning record deep into the veteran’s forties. Terry’s remark quickly circulated across social media platforms, generating significant engagement among football supporters.
Arteta has undeniably reshaped Arsenal since taking charge, building a squad capable of mounting sustained title challenges. The Gunners have finished as Premier League runners-up in consecutive recent seasons, consistently pushing Manchester City. However, the league title itself has not returned to the Emirates Stadium, and the comparison with Silva’s relentless trophy accumulation gave Terry’s comment its sharp edge.
Arsenal’s last top-flight league championship remains the legendary 2003/04 “Invincibles” campaign, in which the club went an entire Premier League season unbeaten under Arsène Wenger — a record that still stands today. That wait now extends to over two decades.
For Silva, the Porto title represents a remarkable late-career renaissance. After departing Chelsea at the end of the 2023/24 season following their Champions League final defeat, the Brazilian returned to Porto — the club where he first made his name in European football before moves to AC Milan and Paris Saint-Germain. His return to Portugal has culminated in silverware, further cementing a legacy that few defenders in the modern era can match.
The moment also underscores a broader narrative around the longevity of elite defenders. At an age when most professionals have long since retired, Silva continues to contribute at the highest domestic level, adding to a trophy cabinet that already included success across four of Europe’s major leagues.
Arsenal’s next opportunity to end their Premier League drought remains the current campaign, with the title race still ongoing as of early May 2026. The contrast between Silva’s latest triumph and Arteta’s continued wait is unlikely to be lost on the Arsenal fanbase — or, evidently, on Terry.
