Football
Jonathan Johnson, PSG correspondent 8y

Thiago Silva: Hardest part about Brazil exile was having to face my children

Paris Saint-Germain captain Thiago Silva has admitted the hardest part of his recent international exile was being unable to explain to his children why he was not part of Dunga's Brazil plans.

Silva, 32, has been recalled to the Selecao squad by new coach Tite and is expected to feature in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers against Bolivia and Venezuela.

If the former Brazil captain does make an appearance, it would be his first international involvement since the Copa America exit at the hands of Paraguay in June 2015.

"Why was I not being called up [under Dunga]? Honestly, it is difficult to explain," Silva told Globoesporte. "The hardest thing was explaining to my children why I was no longer playing for the Selecao. Each time we were watching a match, they asked me why I was not on the pitch. I was unable to answer them."

Silva is now back in the international fold after PSG first refused to release him for the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in the summer and then a hip injury kept him out of Tite's first squad.

The French champions' decision to reject Brazil's request for Silva to feature as one of three overage players in Rio -- because teammate Marquinhos had already been released -- still rankles with the former AC Milan man.

"It was 1:30 a.m. already and I was in bed, almost asleep, but with my mind still on the list," Silva said of the moment he discovered Brazil wanted him for the Olympics. "Sometimes, when you feel something, you say that someone will call you. Then the phone rang. It was [Brazil's Olympic coach] Rogerio Micale.

"I was unable to sleep for the rest of the night and I sent my president a message. 'President, I must go and join the squad. It is finally my chance to return to the Selecao.' Anyway..."

Silva made his return to action following injury in the 1-1 Champions League draw at home to Arsenal earlier this month, and is continuing to rebuild his match fitness after a lengthy absence with a hip problem picked up during preseason.

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