Gilberto Silva

Former professional footballer turned sports speaker, Gilberto Silva, is a true joy at events. His after dinner speeches take audiences on a journey through his life, starting with his childhood in poverty to thriving as a football defender. Woven into his anecdotes are actionable methods for personal and professional development, including such life skills as determination and leadership. With his first hand knowledge of high performance teams, corporate audiences come away from Gilberto's speeches with a comprehensive understanding of interpersonal relationships, and the importance of communication while under immense periods of pressure.

During 386 senior appearances and 93 games for his national team, Brazil, Gilberto established himself as a formidable force on the pitch. On the international stage, he made his debut against Chile in 2002. While playing against Iceland and Bolivia, Gilberto scored three impressive World Cup goals, and was later featured in Brazil's winning squad at the 2002 South Korea FIFA World Cup. In celebration of his influence on the nation's team, Gilberto was noted as "one of the top defensive midfielders in the world". He later stepped up to the role of captain against England, a reflection of Gilberto's globally respected leadership.

Gilberto is noted as "the invisible wall", due to his steely resolve as a defender. Operating behind the scenes of a game's play, he commonly broke up the opposition's attack before they had time to respond, a playing style that set him apart from the rest on the pitch. He inspires this mindset in his audience, encouraging them to not go for glory but succeed as a team. Gilberto has also been awarded "the elite Champions League level" of performance by The Sunday Times. From América Mineiro to Atlético Mineiro, and Arsenal with whom he scored 17 goals, Gilberto has been a notable influence on the sport.

Aside from football, Gilberto has worked with The Street League, a charity that organises football matches for refugees, homeless people and asylum seekers. A passionate advocate for the power of sport, he appears at events to open his audience's eyes to the positive influence of physical activities. With decades of experience on and off of the pitch, Gilberto thrives as a football commentator, appearing on such shows as ESPN. A relevant figure in the world of football, audiences of Gilberto's sports speeches benefit from his thrilling experiences and knowledge of high performance teams.