I’ve overcome tuberculosis, I can overcome this – Thiago Silva

The captain has been criticised locally for showing a lack of mental fortitude, but he believes his reaction was only "natural"

Brazil defender Thiago Silva has shrugged off criticism aimed at him from the local media, who have suggested that he lacks the mental fortitude of a captain.

The Paris Saint-Germain centre-back was pictured on the verge of tears before the last-16 encounter with Chile and then cried when the Selecao advanced to the quarter-finals of the World Cup following a penalty shootout.

Silva, however, has insisted that he will not pay any attention to the press.

"I've overcome TB, and my life was at risk, I can overcome this," he told the media. "When those things are said, you have to look to the side. My leader is here beside me [looks at coach Luiz Felipe Scolari] – he's my commander.

"No one really knows me, no one really knows what I'm like. I don't need to worry about what people say. This is just the way I am.

"It's a natural thing for humans to be emotional. People are saying some silly things and that could make it more difficult. But it helps me. I have overcome many difficult moments."

The 29-year-old is looking forward to the clash with Colombia at Estadio Castelao in Fortaleza on Friday, as he believes the style of Jose Pekerman's side will suit Brazil.

"For me is what's good is a team that comes up to play against us," he said.

"Technically, Colombia have those skills of wanting to play, so that helps our team. It becomes a very open match. That's when we defenders have to remember that we can't concede goals. Two-three minutes later we will have control of the match, and that's when we'll try to strike.

"It's better to play these matches than against a team who plays very closed. It's difficult to score against a team playing in the final 15 metres – you need skill and good movement to find space."

Thiago Silva is aiming to lead Brazil to a sixth World Cup crown, and a first on home soil.