PSG Captain Thiago Silva Dropped For Tonight's Champions League Clash Against Real Madrid

Huge news is coming out of Paris Saint-Germain's camp this afternoon.

Reports are emerging that captain Thiago Silva has been dropped from the starting line-up to face Real Madrid in the Champions League round of 16.

Silva, who many say has struggled in the 'big' games of late, will be replaced by 22-year-old centre-back Presnel Kimpembe, according to L'Équipe.

It is believed that Silva was "incredibly surprised" to hear he had been dropped for Kimpembe, as reports suggest fellow defender Marquinhos will captain PSG tonight.

The French champions are looking to cause somewhat of an upset at the Bernabeu, but will the absence of Silva help Los Blancos?

To be fair, Kimpembe produced a magnificent display against Barcelona last year in the , so perhaps Unai Emery has decided to repay the faith this evening.

Silva reportedly has no fitness issues ahead of the trip to Madrid, and was absent at Tuesday night's press conference at the Bernabeu.

Here's how Twitter reacted to the news:

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Topics: Football News, Unai Emery, Football, Ligue 1, PSG, Thiago Silva, Champions League, Real Madrid

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare is a writer at SPORTbible. He's interviewed some of the biggest names in sport, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Pele, Carles Puyol and Tim Henman. He dabbles in all things sport but football is his biggest passion. He was once hit in the head by a wayward strike from Nicky Butt and lived to tell the tale.

@jackkenmare_