Igor Thiago: from bricklaying to Brugge, Brentford and maybe Brazil

"On a crisp November afternoon in Brentford, Igor Thiago did what record signings are supposed to do: score twice. The Brazilian's double against Newcastle took his goal tally this season to eight in 11 Premier League games, second only to Erling Haaland, and offered further proof that Brentford's 30m gamble in the summer of 2024 was a wise one. Brentford fans must have had their doubts last season."

"After arriving from Club Brugge to replace Ivan Toney, Thiago's first season was quiet, disjointed and frustrating. Two knee injuries restricted him to just eight appearances, 168 minutes and no goals. There were plenty of gloomy pre-season predictions for Brentford this summer. After losing Thomas Frank, their captain, Christian Nrgaard, and the forwards Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa who were responsible for 60% of their goals and a quarter of their assists last season Brentford were not expected to thrive."

"Thiago's story begins far from the manicured pitches of the Premier League. He grew up in Gama, near Brasilia. At the age when most academy prospects are worrying about which boots to wear, he was already shouldering responsibility far beyond his years. Thiago's father died when he was 13, leaving him to support his mother, Maria, who worked as a rubbish collector. Thiago took on various jobs to help his family, such as carrying groceries in a local supermarket and working as a bricklayer, all while holding on to a dream of professional football."

Igor Thiago scored twice against Newcastle, taking his Premier League tally to eight goals in 11 games, second only to Erling Haaland. Brentford paid £30m for Thiago in summer 2024 after an injury-hit debut season that yielded eight appearances, 168 minutes and no goals. The club lost key figures including Thomas Frank, Christian Nrgaard, Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa, yet have beaten top sides with Thiago leading the attack. Thiago grew up in Gama near Brasilia, lost his father at 13 and supported his mother while working various jobs. He made his senior debut for Cruzeiro at 18 and later moved to Europe in 2022.

Read at www.theguardian.com