Thiago was interviewed by journalist David Ornstein on The Athletic, where he reflected on the injury that forced his retirement, discussed working with coaches like Pep Guardiola, Jürgen Klopp, and Hansi Flick, and shared his views on "beautiful football" and the development of young players. This article is the third part of the exclusive interview.

Other parts of the exclusive interview

Thiago: My body can no longer support me playing, but I am very satisfied with my career

Thiago: Flick's tactics are excellent and he's very humane; if I were a coach, I'd look to him as a role model

That's really remarkable. There's a lot of talk in football now, with fans, media, players, and coaches all discussing playing styles, whether football is becoming too ugly, and if beautiful football is disappearing. You were once a part of beautiful football, whether playing with Messi, Iniesta, and Xavi at Barcelona, or at Bayern Munich and Liverpool. Are you worried about football?

No, I'm not worried about football. I don't think beautiful football has disappeared; it still exists. We can see it in those different talented players. They can change a game, and when they're not on the field, football misses them.

Coaches of different teams now also have new tools and equipment to analyze opponents more deeply and come up with new ideas. Of course, set pieces are very important now, not just in England, but across the entire football world.

In Spain, we still try to focus more on open play, on what happens after the ball starts rolling, rather than on set pieces. However, set pieces are indeed very important.

Now, looking at global and European football, whether it's the Premier League or Spain, which teams' games should we be watching? Which teams' styles do you like?

I think, in Spain, Barcelona plays very interesting and proactive football, always looking to attack. In England, Arsenal's style is very well-organized. Then there's Aston Villa. They are having some difficulties now, but under Unai Emery, they are still moving forward. He is very intelligent.

And Manchester City always finds small gaps. Bayern Munich also plays very well, really well. Now they have Luis Díaz. I really like this player because I played with him at Liverpool. It's the same now—I like him a lot. So, I think Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Arsenal, and Paris Saint-Germain in France are among the toughest teams.

Who are the best young players in world football? Who should we be watching? Among the young English players, who do you admire the most?

It's incredible because in England, you always have new players emerging, just like in Spain and France. Saka, of course, is still very young. This generation of players is truly outstanding—Cole Palmer, Saka, and Phil Foden. They are all still young. While not 17, they aren't much older than that either.

In Spain, you have Lamine Yamal, Cubarsí, Gavi—players who can change a game. France is also incredible, with players like Doué and Barcola, who can also bring significant changes to the game.

Finally, I want to end with this question. Now that you've finished your playing career, you can look back. I remember you joined Barcelona's first team when you were about 18. If the current Thiago could talk to 18-year-old Thiago, what would you say? What advice would you give him?

I think when we join the first team so young, we always want everything to happen quickly, because you feel like you have to play immediately, immediately, and even more immediately. You should enjoy it and continue to improve yourself while getting opportunities.

Back then, you'd be unhappy if you didn't play, and if you did play, you'd put too much pressure on yourself. I would tell him that you need to find a balance between these things. This isn't just advice for myself, but for all young players joining the first team: when you get an opportunity, give it your all. But when things are out of your control, learn as much as you can.

You just mentioned being unhappy, which reminds me of a question. Was there anything in your football career that made you cry, either as a player or as a fan?

Of course. My last appearance for Liverpool was against Arsenal. I hadn't planned to play, and according to the team doctor, I shouldn't have played. But Jürgen asked me if I wanted to travel with the team, because I could bring a positive impact, both as a player and as a team member.

I was sitting on the bench, and suddenly I was asked, "Do you want to play?"

I said, "Since I'm here, of course I do."

But I wasn't at all ready to play; I was far from being in match condition. After five minutes, I pulled my hamstring. It was the first time in my career I had pulled my hamstring. I knew this meant my career was over because I had been struggling with injuries for a long time.

After that, it took me some time to accept it. I cried during the game and after the game. But then, as we discussed before, you need to make peace with yourself.

And then, it was off to the padel court. Life goes on.

Yes, but please, no more injuries.

Of course. But you still have a little injury today. So you need to recover quickly. Great, man. Thank you very much, really.

I'm glad too.

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