Brazil’s 2002 World Cup winner Gilberto Silva recalls his career-defining tournament and Malaysia’s special role in their preparation during the FIFA Trophy Tour.
PETALING JAYA: Former Brazil midfielder Gilberto Silva has named the 2002 FIFA World Cup as the most meaningful memory of his career.
He shared this sentiment while accompanying the FIFA World Cup Trophy on its global tour, which made a stop in Malaysia.
Silva, a key member of Brazil’s victorious 2002 squad, said the tournament was the starting point of his journey at football’s highest level.
He credited timing and opportunity for his success on the world stage.
“2002 comes to mind first, because that’s where everything began for me,” Silva told reporters during a media session.
“I came at the right time. You have to take your opportunities and I took mine.”
The former Arsenal player also highlighted Malaysia’s special place in Brazil’s 2002 journey.
The Selecao used Malaysia for their final preparations before heading to the tournament co-hosted by South Korea and Japan.
“Malaysia holds a very special part of this story because we stopped here for our final preparation,” Silva recalled.
He added that the team received a warm welcome and that returning to the country brings back strong emotions.
Brazil played a friendly against Malaysia at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil in May 2002 as part of their final tune-up.
The star-studded Brazilian side, featuring Ronaldo, Rivaldo, and Ronaldinho, won the match 4-0.
Hundreds of fans gathered at Sunway Pyramid to see the trophy unveiled by Silva, national legend Datuk Santokh Singh, and rapper MK.
The trophy arrived in Malaysia under tight security as part of its 75-stop global tour.
Its arrival was marked by a ceremony at the Skypark Regional Aviation Centre in Shah Alam.
This visit marks the trophy’s first return to Malaysia since 2014.
The tour will continue to South Korea and Japan.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada from June 11 to July 19.
