Chelsea could have a family dynasty on their hands after one of their legend’s sons was spotted as a ballboy on Tuesday night.
The Blues picked up their first Champions League win of the season as they beat Benfica 1-0 at Stamford Bridge on Jose Mourinho’s homecoming.
And one of the ballboys was a rising academy star who can call one of the greatest defenders of recent history his father.
The 16-year-old, who plays for the club’s under-18s, was photographed on duty for the match.
We are, of course, talking about Isago da Silva, the eldest son of Thiago Silva, who spent four years at the club between 2020 and 2024 and won the Champions League.
Isago is hoping to follow in his father’s footsteps as a central defender and was a key player for the under-15s as they won the Premier League Floodlit Super Cup last year.
And you never know, there could even be two Silvas playing for Chelsea one day as his younger brother Iago is also in the club’s youth set-up.
The route will be a difficult one, as Chelsea are not famed for giving their academy stars much of a pathway, though recent seasons have seen some break into the first team.
Trevoh Chalobah, Levi Colwill, Tyrique George and Josh Acheampong have all made the step up in the last few years.
Isago shared a few photos of himself on duty at Stamford Bridge, and if he does go on to be a successful player for them, those pictures could become a great memory to look back on.
And father Thiago said back in 2023 that it is one of his dreams to see his sons play for the west London outfit one day.
‘I have to say, at every club I’ve been at, I’ve felt a lot of love from the clubs themselves and the fans, but here it feels a little bit different, because of the fact that my kids are playing in the team too,’ Silva said.
‘For me, it would be a dream to see them play professionally at Chelsea. I love watching them, ultimately, and I try to help them as much as I can.
‘I love seeing my kids playing here, my wife is here all the time and even wants to be at every away game. I think she realises that time is running out slightly, so she wants to make the most of the last few years of my career.
‘When I got here, it felt like love at first sight, to be honest, and I’m still very proud to be here.’
Thiago, 41, is still hoping to make memories in his own career. He is the captain of Brazilian club Fluminense, who sit seventh in the country’s top flight.
