In one of the world’s premier sporting cities, a hidden gem has slotted into the landscape with little fanfare.
As Damien Da Silva, a former UEFA Champions League captain who once bested the likes of global superstars Neymar and Kylian Mbappe sits down for a chat with KEEPUP, Collingwood Magpies and Melbourne Demons players – including several premiership winners – continue their preparation for the upcoming AFL season, blissfully unaware a footballer of global pedigree is nearby.
He is Melbourne Victory’s new star, bringing experience and quality to their fight to reach the Isuzu UTE A-League finals. He come out on top against Mbappe, Neymar and star-studded Paris Saint-Germain. Not too many players or clubs in France have conquered the Parisian powerhouse, let alone a two-goal deficit in a cup final.
But that is exactly what Da Silva and Rennes did in front of 75,000 supporters at the iconic Stade de France in 2019.
“I think all people at that moment were thinking it was finished and we would lose 5-0,” the former Rennes captain told KEEPUP, ahead of Saturday’s blockbuster showdown against Sydney FC.
Thomas Tuchel’s PSG appeared to be cruising to yet another title thanks to goals from Dani Alves and Neymar inside 21 minutes. For many, the trophy appeared destined to land in Paris for a fifth successive season especially with the team boasting Edinson Cavani, Angel Di Maria, Marco Verratti, Marquinhos, Presnel Kimpembe and a young Christopher Nkunku.
But, Da Silva’s Rennes emerged from the jaws of defeat. They rallied from 2-0 down to win 6-5 on penalties for their first Coupe de France triumph since 1971.
“At the beginning we were a bit stressed and we didn’t play like other games but it’s normal. For us, it was the first time. For them, it was many times,” he said, having arrived in Melbourne from French giants Lyon in January.
“After, we played our football and PSG I think were thinking it was finished. We were lucky to score two times and we were lucky to win on penalties.
“For the club it was historic. It was my best moment. The week after it was beautiful because we were with the fans. It was a very big moment and in my life.
I want to do it again because once you [experience it] you want another time. With this club, it is possible.
Da Silva – who puts Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of Lionel Messi ib football’s global pecking order – enjoyed great success, creating life-long memories at Roazhon Park.
From the Coupe de France triumph, a famous UEFA Europa League win over Arsenal in 2019 and a third-placed finish in Ligue 1, to reaching the UEFA Champions League for the first time in the club’s history.
Da Silva was there for it all. He captained the team in their maiden Champions League campaign in 2020-21, coming up against eventual champions Chelsea, Sevilla and Krasnodar.
That success in the east of Brittany in north-western France was built on a family culture. The 34-year-old is getting the same vibe in Melbourne.
“It was my best period,” Da Silva reflected on his time at Rennes, having also been part of the 2018 Caen team that reached the Coupe de France semi-finals for the first time in their history. “I was captain. We had a big team. We were [close]. It was very important.
“We won the trophy and it was very historic. It’s my best memories in France. Rennes are a family club, so I had my best memories there.
I saw many things like that in this club, for me it’s very important to be like that. To be like family. I have a good feeling here.
During that memorable Champions League campaign, Da Silva went up against a Chelsea side that featured Timo Werner, Tammy Abraham, Thiago Silva, Olivier Giroud, Kai Havertz, Reece James, N’Golo Kante, Antonio Rudiger and his former Rennes teammate Edouard Mendy.
“I am very proud about that. It was my first time in the Champions League,” the veteran said. “I did not know I would play this competition. For me it was a dream and for the team too, it was the first time for the club.
“We did the maximum. Unfortunately we finished last but we played well against Chelsea, the future champions. It was a good experience and I try to play with this experience now.”
At Rennes, Da Silva also helped nurture one of the biggest talents in football today: Eduardo Camavinga.
Before the France sensation and FIFA Men’s World Cup runner-up helped guide Real Madrid to Champions League glory last season, he announced himself at Rennes, where he became their youngest ever player – 16 years and six months back in 2019.
“I saw him at the first training with the team,” Da Silva said. “He was very young but everyone saw from the first minute he had something different.
“After he began to play with us in Ligue 1. He played every game. After a lot of people saw what sort of player he was.
“I think he can [get better] because he is young. He can [improve] a lot. He is a big player.”
Da Silva now finds himself a long, long away from France. Melbourne is home after leaving Lyon at the start of the year.
But why?
“It was another type of experience for me [at Lyon] because I didn’t play a lot,” he answered. “Normally I play every time, so it was difficult to have this experience. But we can grow with this kind of experience too.
“It is a big club. The results were not good but people expect a lot from the players. There is a lot of pressure but I love that. Lyon, after PSG, it is an historic club, a big club. They have won a lot of championships.”
“[But] I wanted to see other things. Another championship. I had an offer in Australia and for me it was perfect. All of the French love the country and I was excited to discover it.
“The championship is a good experience. It’s a big challenge with a big club. All the people say to me that Victory are a big club in Australia and it’s beautiful.”
It is that experience that Tony Popovic’s Victory are counting on as last season’s semi-finalists desperately try to keep their finals hopes alive in 2022-23.
Victory are bottom of the standings and six points adrift of the top six, but they do have a game in hand. That final play-off position is occupied by rivals Sydney FC, which makes Saturday night’s Big Blue battle even more crucial.
Da Silva has made an immediate impact, striking up a solid partnership with Roderick Miranda at the heart of Victory’s defence. He already has a goal to his name too.
“We need to win games. We can speak at the end because at the moment we need to win games,” Da Silva, who is good friends with former Victory favourite Fahid Ben Khalfallah, added.
“We can say we want to finish in the top six because we are last. The most important for us is the future games.”
He continued: “It was a big experience for me in France. I was lucky to win the Coupe de France. It was a privilege for me. I saw many things in France but I wanted to discover other things.
In the future, I want to win the championship in Australia. It’s a big challenge for me. It’s like a dream for me to play here and I’ll do the maximum to win the cup.
