Brazil’s current international squad features several Premier League names. But none of them match Igor Thiago’s numbers. Still relatively unknown back home, the Brentford striker has scored eight goals in 11 matches and sits second in the Golden Boot race, trailing only Erling Haaland’s unstoppable output.
At 24, Igor Thiago is in the form of his life, scoring against heavyweights such as Liverpool and Manchester United. But the road to this breakout moment was filled with obstacles: from losing his father at an early age to suffering a brutal injury right after arriving in England.
+ Premier League becomes Ancelotti’s main source for Brazil squad
Before diving into his life story, the numbers speak for themselves. Igor Thiago needs just two shots per goal on average. He also misses far fewer big chances than Haaland (five, compared to the Norwegian’s 11).
Standing at 1.91m, he profiles as a physically dominant No. 9, with strong hold-up play, intelligent positioning and a killer instinct inside the box. Yet, football wasn’t even his childhood passion…
+ Sofascore Appoints Ricardo Peixoto as New Country Manager for Brazil
Early years and the loss that changed everything
Born in Gama, Brazil’s Federal District, Igor Thiago spent his childhood more interested in typical kids’ games than in organized football. His interest only grew after following his older brother to local amateur matches.
But tragedy struck early. At just 13, he lost his father. A moment that deeply affected the family emotionally and financially. Igor and his brother had to help support their household. He worked as a construction helper and handed out supermarket flyers to make ends meet.
“My mother worked sweeping the streets in Brasília. When we lost my father, she had to work even harder. She’s an example of resilience, and that’s when I realized I wanted to change our family’s life,” he told Marca years later.
The hardship forced him to mature quickly and pushed him deeper into football
Breakthrough at Cruzeiro under Ronaldo’s management
Despite the challenges, Igor Thiago emerged as a standout striker at Verê FC (U-17) in Paraná. His scoring instinct caught the eye of major clubs, and Cruzeiro signed him in 2019.
His development accelerated in Belo Horizonte. He made his professional debut in 2020, during Cruzeiro’s chaotic post-relegation period. The crisis opened room for academy players, and Igor seized the opportunity.
With 64 senior appearances and 10 goals, he became one of the club’s top prospects. His transfer would become historic: the first sale under Ronaldo Fenômeno’s newly established SAF ownership. His destination was Ludogorets, from Bulgaria.
Rise in Europe
Igor arrived quietly in Bulgaria, starting with the B team to adapt. But the impact was immediate. He was promoted to the first team, scored on debut, and quickly became indispensable.
For Ludogorets, he recorded 21 goals and 11 assists in 55 matches, helping win the Bulgarian League, Cup and Supercup.
“I lived great moments at Ludogorets and was happy to win my first titles,” he said.
In 2023, he made another leap, joining Club Brugge for €7.8 million: one of the most expensive signings in club history. He scored crucial goals and stood out in the team’s UEFA Conference League run to the semifinals.
Injuries and the difficult start at Brentford
Despite having four years on his contract, Igor left Brugge after just one season. The Premier League called, and Brentford paid around €38 million, making him the second-most expensive signing in club history and the most expensive sale in Belgian league history.
But adversity returned. In his very first appearance — a preseason friendly against Wimbledon in July 2024 — Igor Thiago suffered a serious meniscus injury that sidelined him for four months.
He returned to the pitch in November but struggled to regain the tempo and explosiveness he had shown at Brugge, logging limited minutes throughout the season. To make matters worse, he suffered a second meniscus injury at the end of the 2024/2025 campaign.
“It was a season full of obstacles, but I never lost my faith. Thank you, God, for giving me the strength to become even tougher, because with You, I can face anything,” he wrote on social media at the time.
With resilience, discipline and belief, Igor Thiago fought through yet another setback and kicked off the 2025/2026 season in spectacular shape. And now determined to earn a spot on Carlo Ancelotti’s radar ahead of next year’s World Cup.