Chelsea veteran Thiago Silva has admitted his football retirement is closer than most would think.

The 39-year-old has been playing professionally for the past 21 years of his life.

Silva knows that he will soon have to call time on his career, and he hopes that he can do so at the top.

Per Sky Italia, he said: "The end of my career is getting closer… it's not easy.

"You've to think about when you want to retire, where do you go as final club, the family, my kids play at Chelsea.

"I'm just focused on enjoying my final year of contract at Chelsea.

"I don't know what's going to happen next year but I'm very happy with my career."