Igor Thiago Emerges as Brentford's New Star Scorer
First it was Ivan Toney, followed by Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa. Now, Igor Thiago has taken the spotlight.
Brentford appears to have a remarkable ability to replace one prolific goalscorer with another.
This season, only Manchester City striker Erling Haaland, with 14 goals, has outscored Thiago, who has netted eight times after scoring twice against Newcastle on Sunday.
Harvey Barnes opened the scoring at Gtech Community Stadium before Kevin Schade equalized for Brentford. Thiago then converted a penalty to put the Bees ahead and scored again late in the match, securing a 3-1 victory.
With his pace, strength, and natural scoring ability, Thiago has been instrumental in helping Brentford rise to 12th place in the Premier League after a challenging start, achieving five wins from 11 games.
Although uncapped by Brazil, Thiago's impressive form surely has caught the attention of head coach Carlo Ancelotti. The 24-year-old is also eligible to represent Bulgaria.
Brentford manager Keith Andrews, who took over from Thomas Frank in the summer, praised Thiago, stating, "He has been exceptional this season, growing in stature and confidence. We are a hungry group, and Thiago exemplifies that. He’s in great form and enjoying football."
Potential International Recognition
Thiago declined the chance to represent Brazil at the under-23 level to keep his international options open. He has previously expressed a strong desire to play for the national team, telling the Daily Mail, "I’ve always dreamed of representing Brazil. I pray that when I get the call, it’s not just a fleeting appearance; I want to stay."
However, competition for spots in Ancelotti’s squad is fierce, with players like Vinicius Jr, Rodrygo, and Raphinha among the attacking options. Other contenders include Willian Estevao, Richarlison, Matheus Cunha, and Joao Pedro, all currently competing in the Premier League. Given Thiago's nine goals across all competitions this season, he may soon become impossible for Ancelotti to overlook.
From Adversity to Prominence
Thiago's journey has not been without challenges. Signed for £30 million from Club Brugge in July 2024 to replace Brentford’s former star Toney, he faced a difficult first season marked by injuries, failing to score in eight appearances.
Mbeumo and Wissa stepped up during his absence, combining for 40 goals. However, their departures to Manchester United and Newcastle raised concerns about Brentford's attacking potential.
Determined to make up for lost time, Thiago has shown resilience throughout his life. After losing his father at 13, he worked as a bricklayer and in a supermarket, with professional football seeming a distant dream. He started at Vere FC in Brazil, progressed to Cruzeiro, and eventually made his way to Europe with Bulgarian club Ludogorets.
His 15 goals helped Ludogorets secure the Bulgarian title in the 2022-23 season, and he was named the Conference League’s young player of the season, scoring seven goals as Club Brugge reached the semi-finals last year.
Now fit and thriving at Brentford, Thiago's profile is rising, and a potential call-up to Brazil's national team, especially with the 2026 World Cup approaching, seems increasingly plausible.