Gilberto Silva

For other people named Gilberto, see Gilberto. For another footballer named "Gilberto da Silva", see Gilberto da Silva Melo. For the footballer born 1987, see Gilberto Silva (Portuguese footballer).

In this Portuguese name, the first or maternal family name is Aparecido and the second or paternal family name is da Silva.
Gilberto Silva
Gilberto Silva in 2021
Personal information
Full name Gilberto Aparecido da Silva[1]
Date of birth (1976-10-07) 7 October 1976 (age 48)[2]
Place of birth Lagoa da Prata, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)[2]
Position(s) Defensive midfielder
Defender
Youth career
1988–1993 América Mineiro
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1997–2000 América Mineiro 20 (1)
2000–2002 Atlético Mineiro 62 (4)
2002–2008 Arsenal 170 (17)
2008–2011 Panathinaikos 78 (5)
2011–2013 Grêmio 47 (1)
2013–2014 Atlético Mineiro 9 (0)
Total 386 (28)
International career
2001–2010 Brazil 89 (3)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing  Brazil
FIFA World Cup
Winner 2002 Korea/Japan
FIFA Confederations Cup
Winner 2005 Germany
Winner 2009 South Africa
Copa America
Winner 2007 Venezuela
Olympic Games
Bronze medal – third place 2008 Beijing
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Gilberto Aparecido da Silva (Brazilian Portuguese: [ʒiwˈbɛʁtu ˈsiwvɐ] ⓘ; born 7 October 1976) is a Brazilian former professional footballer who played as a defensive midfielder, most notably for Brazilian side Atlético Mineiro and for English Premier League club Arsenal, as well as for the Brazil national team. He currently serves as an ambassador for both Arsenal and FIFA.

Born and raised in poverty in the Brazilian municipality of Lagoa da Prata, Gilberto joined the youth academy at local club América Mineiro, where he made his senior debut as a centre-back in 1998.[3] After starring the following season, where he helped gain the club promotion into the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A, he joined city rivals Atlético Mineiro. During his time at Atlético, Gilberto transitioned into a defensive midfielder under head coach Carlos Alberto Parreira, and flourished in his new role, gaining a call-up to the Brazil national team for the 2002 FIFA World Cup, where he featured prominently as his country won the tournament.[4]

As a result of his World Cup performances, Gilberto garnered a move to the Premier League to sign for Arsenal that summer for a fee of £4.5 million.[5] During his six years at Arsenal, Gilberto gained a reputation as a world class defensive midfielder, and starred in a midfield duo alongside Patrick Vieira.[6] He would feature as a member of the Invincibles, where he captured his first top-flight league title as his team went undefeated the whole season, as well as winning two FA Cups. Gilberto also holds distinct records at Arsenal, recording their first goal at the Emirates Stadium,[7] as well as their fastest ever goal, scoring in 21 seconds from kickoff against PSV Eindhoven in the 2002–03 UEFA Champions League.[8] After departing Arsenal, Gilberto relocated to Greece, playing for Panathinaikos, where he won a domestic double. He then returned to Brazil in 2011, signing for Grêmio, where he remained for two years, before returning to Atlético to win the 2013 Copa Libertadores prior to retiring.

Gilberto featured at senior level for much of his international career, representing Brazil over a period of 9 years. He 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 also won the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup, while also featuring as captain in their Copa América win in 2007. After retaining the Confederations Cup in 2009, Gilberto expressed his desire to prolong his club career, which coincided with limited playing time for Brazil. He retired from international football after the 2010 FIFA World Cup, having made 93 appearances for Brazil.

  1. ^ "2006 FIFA World Cup Germany: List of Players: Brazil" (PDF). FIFA. 21 March 2014. p. 4. Archived from the original (PDF) on 10 June 2019.
  2. ^ a b Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2008). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2008–09. Mainstream Publishing. p. 170. ISBN 978-1-84596-324-8.
  3. ^ Mott, Sue (2 September 2006). "Life is sweet for Brazil's shop steward". The Daily Telegraph. London. Archived from the original on 16 February 2009. Retrieved 30 July 2008.
  4. ^ "4thegame Profile". 4thegame.com. Archived from the original on 18 March 2009. Retrieved 30 July 2008.
  5. ^ "Arsenal sign Gilberto Silva". Breaking News. 26 July 2002. Archived from the original on 1 November 2013. Retrieved 19 March 2012.
  6. ^ "Vieira hails Silva partnership". Sky Sports. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
  7. ^ Austin, Simon (19 August 2006). "Arsenal 1–1 Aston Villa". BBC Sport. Retrieved 19 March 2012.
  8. ^ "Arsenal sweep past PSV". 25 September 2002. Retrieved 31 January 2020 – via news.bbc.co.uk.