Thiago: I've never felt better

Igor Thiago says he is feeling 'very good and strong' ahead of the 2025/26 Premier League season.

The Brazilian striker joined the Bees in July 2024 but missed much of last term due to injury.

Off the back of scoring Brentford's goal in a 1-1 pre-season friendly draw against club strategic partner and Primeira Liga side Gil Vicente, he is confident that he'll continue to find the back of the net for Keith Andrews' side this campaign.

“I’m feeling very good, very strong, very different to how I felt last year," said the 24-year-old. "I’ve never felt better.

“I've probably had to do a little bit more work than the other players over the summer but I’ve also wanted to relax my head and not focus just on football.

“My goals are very specific and personal to me, but the main thing is that I want to be in the best possible form, the best possible shape to do what Brentford hired me to do – and that’s score goals.

'I want to be in the best possible form, the best possible shape to do what Brentford hired me to do – and that’s score goals'

The west Londoners returned to Portugal for another pre-season tour this month, with Andrews and the new-look coaching staff putting the players though their paces at Cidade do Futebol, the Portuguese national team's training base.

“It’s a different mentality and a different way to work," Thiago explained.

"It’s good because we can learn different ways of thinking and different ways of playing.

“The main difference has been the work with the ball. Instead of just focusing on the running, we’ve been working with the ball and on the more technical side of things."

Alongside a rigorous camp and the aforementioned Gil Vicente friendly, the 10-day tour has also provided an important bonding opportunity for the players.

“It’s been very nice because the team is united," Thiago continued.

"We have the professional side of it but also the friendships are very good. I’ve been at other clubs and the energy was not like it is here, not as united.

“It’s very important because the connection we have in these moments helps us when we’re playing out on the pitch. It helps to build our relationships.”