From bricklayer to star: Brazilian shaking up the Premier League

The fans cheer for him and embrace him. Everyone wants to celebrate goals with Igor Thiago, that's clear. That the Brentford fans would celebrate him as they did in the 4-2 victory against Everton last weekend, he probably wouldn't have thought before the season.

📸 Jan Kruger - 2026 Getty Images

In the summer of 2025, there was talk around FC Brentford of a possible transfer flop. The Premier League club had paid 33 million euros (source: transfermarkt.de) to FC Brugge in 2024 – a sum that seemed far too high, especially after the first year.

This was mainly due to the injuries that kept setting Thiago back. The Brazilian played only 169 minutes in eight games, without a single goal involvement. In January 2026, the world looks very different for him – and for Brentford.

As the 'Daily Telegraph' recently headlined, the 24-year-old is "the best striker in the league who isn't named Erling Haaland." And who knows: if the Norwegian's goal drought continues, Thiago might soon catch up with him. While the ManCity star has gone two games without a goal, his striker rival is doing much better. In 20 matches, Thiago has already scored 14 goals, almost single-handedly defeating Everton with three goals in the 4-2 victory.

Although there's still a way to go to Haaland's 19 goals, it's already clear that Thiago was worth every cent in his second season. Speaking of clear: His coach Keith Andrews, who was only promoted to head coach in the summer, placed early trust in the striker. Thiago is repaying it – in the form of goals.

And more than that: The Bees are now even looking towards the Champions League spots in the Premier League table. "His finishes were outstanding," Andrews raved at the press conference after the Everton win: "He was really precise, calm, and confident." His striker deserved to be mentioned in the same breath as Haaland after the long injury period. Even in European comparison, only Harry Kane (19) and Kylian Mbappé (18) scored more frequently.

If Thiago scores again today against the newly promoted Sunderland – with captain Granit Xhaka – another record could be within reach. He could surpass three compatriots (Firmino, Martinelli, Cunha) and become the Brazilian player with the most goals in a Premier League season with 16 goals. At his current rate, it seems only a matter of time.

With each additional goal, the calls for Carlo Ancelotti to invite him to the national team are likely to grow louder. There's still half a year until the World Cup in America, Mexico, and Canada. "If he scores 20 goals by the end of the season, can Ancelotti continue to overlook him?" wrote the 'Guardian', among others.

In his homeland, the "Bulgarian" is also a topic. Thiago not only holds Brazilian citizenship. Since his first stint in Europe with Ludogorets Razgrad, he also holds this citizenship. The reason: special merits – including the goals with which he contributed to two championships.

Nevertheless, it's clear to him which country he wants to play for. "I know that I will get there and stay there once my time comes. Without a doubt," Thiago said in an interview with the 'Daily Mail'. He is patient and if the opportunity arises, he would be ready to seize it "and never let go again."

His hard work would have paid off by then at the latest. Besides school and football, Thiago had to work as a construction worker at the age of 14. He has been half-orphaned since he was 13. "These experiences have helped me as a man and as a person," he told the 'Guardian'. "It has helped me appreciate the small and big things in life."

He already feels this appreciation – at Brentford, with his coach, and with the fans. And who knows: Maybe Igor Thiago will celebrate his goals not only in the Premier League but also in the summer together with the Brazilian fans.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.

📸 Jan Kruger - 2026 Getty Images