Igor Thiago: Brentford’s Brazilian sensation can make history this season
For every Roberto Firmino, there is a Jo. For every Richarlison, there is an Afonso Alves.
You get the picture. Over the years, the Premier League has seen an array of Brazilian strikers turn up on English shores looking to become the next Ronaldo or Romario.
The reality is, however, not many have actually left a mark. Firmino, Gabriel Jesus and Richarlison have scored 82, 73, and 66 top flight goals respectively, ranking as the top three Brazilian scorers in the Premier League era.
João Pedro is the next centre-forward on the list, but he has just 26 league goals to his name at the time of writing. He will certainly add many more goals to his tally, but once he leaves England, will there be much fanfare about his departure? Probably not.
Igor Thiago is still very much the new man on the scene after struggling with injury during his debut campaign.
Judging by his sublime start to the 2025/26 season, could he become one of the best Brazilian forwards the Premier League has ever seen?
Igor Thiago’s slow start at Brentford is turning into a catalyst for success
In the summer of 2024, Thomas Frank opened the Bees’ chequebook and splurged out £30m to sign Thiago from Club Brugge.
It appeared as though the then 23-year-old was going to be an instant replacement for Ivan Toney, who had entered the final year of his contract.
The 2023/24 campaign saw Thiago score 29 goals across 55 matches for the Belgian side in all competitions, enough for him to impress Frank.
He made just eight Premier League appearances during his maiden campaign with the Bees due to a meniscus injury and then a further knee injury.
Not the start to life he would have wanted in England, but nevertheless, a full pre-season ahead of the 2025/26 campaign has enabled to the striker to hit lofty heights under Keith Andrews.
Taking the Premier League by storm
Many felt Brentford would struggle this season due to losing Frank, but Andrews has done a wonderful job given the circumstances.
Indeed, Bryan Mbuemo and Yoane Wissa – who each scored 20 goals last term – also departed during a summer full of change.
How would the Bees survive by losing two star players? Enter Thiago.
The Brazilian has stepped up and proved there is life after this duo by scoring 11 Premier League goals.
He scored two in the first three games of the season, although those games ended in defeat to Nottingham Forest and Sunderland respectively.
When Brentford hosted Manchester United in September, Thiago netted twice. The first was a well taken left footed effort that flew into the top corner, before a close range finish but the home side up by two goals to the good.
A penalty against Liverpool sealed a vital 3-2 victory. Another penalty came against Newcastle two weeks later, followed by a cute finish to wrap up a 3-1 win over the Magpies.
Three more goals came during his next two outings, placing Thiago as the second-highest scorer in the Premier League with 11 goals.
Thiago’s style of play clearly suits Andrews’ way of playing the game. Not only is he physical, capable of getting the better of centre-backs regularly, but the Brazilian can also link up well with those behind him and hold up the ball superbly.
Add in a ruthlessness in front of goal that seems to be a natural genetic trait with most Brazilian strikers, Brentford have a diamond on their hands.
Not only does the 24-year-old rank in the top 7% for shots (35) in the top flight, he also ranks in the top 9% for touches in the opposition box (62) and in the top 7% for aerial duels won (41) when compared to his positional peers in the top flight this season.
His 11 goals in just 15 matches so far this season is an incredible statistic, and it gives him the chance to make Premier League history.
Matheus Cunha, Firmino and Gabriel Martinelli share the record of most goals scored by a Brazilian in a Premier League season with 15.
Surely, Thiago establishes a new record in the coming months? If so, he might just punch a ticket to the World Cup next year.
A Brazil debut awaits
Brazil may not have forwards such as Ronaldo, Rivaldo or Adriano in this current generation, but Carlo Ancelotti still has several world class stars to choose from.
The likes of Vinícius Júnior, Raphinha, Rodrygo, Estêvão, Richarlison, Pedro and Cunha are likely to spearhead the Brazilian attack for the tilt at World Cup glory in 2026.
Thiago has yet to win an international cap for the Seleção, but given the nation’s underwhelming qualification campaign for the 2026 tourmanent, Ancelotti might be tempted to experiment.
Might an opportunity await the Brentford number 9 early next year when the country are due to play a few friendlies before the World Cup begins in June?
Making history by becoming the highest-scoring Brazilian in a single Premier League season would certainly grab the Italian coach’s attention, thats for sure.
Matches against Leeds, Wolves, Bournemouth and Tottenham across the festive season gives Thiago the perfect chance to make history. Watch this space.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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