Fabio Silva is only 23 years old, but anyone who speaks to him quickly forgets that. It makes sense—during the last five years, the Portuguese player has played for even more teams while residing in seven different nations. The offensive player has no trouble with different cultures, languages, and gaming systems. During his training camp interview with BVB TV, Silva radiates composure and confidence, even as he discusses his challenging beginning at Borussia Dortmund.

The BVB first-team team got 13 days off from training between their final game of 2025 and the beginning of their training camp in Marbella. But Fabio Silva didn’t take much time off. The striker, who spent Christmas with family and friends, says, “Your body wants to do something again after two or three days; that’s important as a professional; you can’t do nothing for ten days.” This is “the most important thing to help you come back with full energy,” he says.

Silva has returned to his BVB teammates with fresh body art in addition to a boost of energy. Silva, who now has numerous tattoos all over his body, smiles and adds, “I got my first tattoo when I was 17 – back then I only wanted that one and thought that would be it.” Every one of them corresponds to a particular period of my life. I enjoy looking at my body’s tattoos and understanding right away when and why I acquired them.

Silva has several reasons to get tattoos; at the age of 23, Germany is already his fifth professional destination (see profile). But the Portuguese player was already familiar with German football, mostly because of his father. “We watched a lot of games; my father’s favorite league is the Bundesliga.” Fabio Silva therefore had an ambition of playing for Borussia Dortmund and SIGNAL IDUNA PARK. However, he had more ties to Germany than that: two of his closest pals are Xavi Simons, who played for RB Leipzig from 2023 to 2025, and Tiago Tomas from VfB Stuttgart.

Silva had a difficult start in Black & Yellow despite his strong ties to the team. “I no longer find it difficult to adjust to a new nation, culture, climate, or cuisine.” However, his injury last summer did make things a little different and more challenging. “Neither the club nor I had anticipated it this way.” However, Silva was aware of how to manage the circumstance. “People both inside and outside the club helped me. I understand how to take care of my body since I can’t perform at my best on the field if I’m unfit. Silva is appreciative that BVB trusted him over this period, and he has returned the favor. “I’m at my peak right now. I believe that when I’m on the field, people can see it.

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The Portuguese striker hasn’t allowed himself to get derailed, even though his beginning in Black & Yellow wasn’t easy. “You have to deal with the ups and downs that are inevitable.” “I always try to focus on my strengths and qualities,” says Fabio Silva, who is aware that he must savor the good moments and that difficult times will pass.

Week after week, BVB supporters witness those attributes on the field as the striker has already contributed four assists and one goal. In addition to his closest teammates, Julian Brandt, Carney Chukwuemeka, Aaron Anselmino, and Yan Couto, Silva has benefited much from the Dortmund supporters. “There are moments when you lack confidence on the field, but it gives you a lot of confidence to know that the fans are rooting for you.”

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Despite coming from a generation that was raised on social media, Silva does not let outside factors erode his confidence. “I avoid reading remarks because they are detrimental to football players. You’re the best on some days and not on others. However, the Borussia player considers these responses to be typical: “Football is a moment-based sport. I just strive to be the greatest version of myself every day because of this. Everyone can see that I always give it my all.

“Good health for my family, my friends, my team, and myself” is Silva’s sole goal for 2026. “I used to focus too much on the future and didn’t live in the here and now,” the Borussia player said, emphasizing the importance of savoring the present. It will be easier on the field later if I train hard and pay attention to the instructor. I find that to be the most effective. “I still have a long way to go and the fans can expect a lot more good things from me,” the striker clarifies. Given that Fabio Silva is only 23 years old, the Black & Yellow supporters still have a lot to look forward to.
Bargel-Neuhaus, Nina