THE RETIREMENT OF THE IRON HORSE Thursday 19th May, 2005 Mauro Silva could be considered without a doubt the best foreign player in Deportivo's history. His work as a defensive midfielder during the last 12 seasons will act as a model for future players in this position. Now in his mid-30's, the untiring Brazilian will say goodbye to his brilliant career at the Riazor. Mauro's numbers are impressive: 368 matches in the Primera, 31,198 minutes played and 1 goal scored. But his history began as a humble boy in Brazil, where he spent three seasons with Brazilian clubs Guarani FC and CA Bragantino before moving to La Coruna in 1992. He took the command in midfield and established himself as a key component in Deportivo's journey from provincial backwater to main player on the European stage. President Lendoiro knew he was the future when he saw him for the first time and he traveled to South America just to sign him, together with another up and coming prospect, Bebeto. The Brazilian duo helped convert Deportivo from an elevator squad into a team to be feared in Spain. After securing its status in La Liga via a relegation play-off against Betis in the 1991/92 season, the club started a successful ascension in the 1992/93 campaign. Most of this incredible transformation was thanks to the work of Mauro Silva. Having missed out on the Spanish championship in the last minute of the 1993/94 campaign, Mauro Silva played only six games the following season due to injuries. But he was rewarded for his consistency six years later, helping Deportivo take the title in 1999/00 with 33 league appearances. He was due to return to Brazil at the season's end but eventually came back to sign a new contract at the Riazor. The Brazilian international surpassed a triple century of league appearances for Deportivo in 2002/03 and also played eleven times as the Galician club reached the second group stage of the UEFA Champions League. In the 2003/04 campaign the Brazilian started to suffer from muscular injuries and was sent off twice in a season for the first time in his career, preventing him from adding to his 27 Primera starts. Mauro Silva again excelled in the Champions League though, only to miss the second leg of the semifinal defeat by FC Porto through suspension. His history in the Brazilian national team is also impressive. He played every game of his country's FIFA World Cup-winning campaign of 1994. Then, he returned to the squad to help qualify for the Korea/Japan tournament eight years later. Perhaps the best description of his capacity comes from former Deportivo coach John Toshack. Once asked about Mauro Silva's work, he replied, "He is the best in the world in his position. When Mauro is on form he works like an iron horse." --

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