In a landmark achievement for Brazilian football, Brentford striker Igor Thiago has become the highest-scoring player from his country in a single Premier League season.
The 24-year-old’s brace in Wednesday’s 3-0 victory over Sunderland propelled his season tally to 16 goals, eclipsing the previous record of 15 goals jointly held by Liverpool legend Roberto Firmino, Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli, and Manchester United’s Matheus Cunha.
The historic moment caps a remarkable and rapid ascent for a player who was virtually unknown in England just over a year ago. Signed from Club Brugge in the summer of 2024 for a club-record fee reported to be around €33 million, Thiago’s debut campaign at Brentford was entirely derailed by a serious knee injury sustained in a pre-season friendly.
Having recovered fully, the striker is now spearheading Brentford’s attack in his first full season, a role he inherited following the high-profile departures of Ivan Toney, Bryan Mbeumo, and Yoane Wissa.
“I think anybody that thought he would have been this good is probably not being honest,” Brentford manager Keith Andrews admitted after the record-breaking performance. “I don’t know how many have come from the Bulgarian League to the Belgian League, had a year out injured, and then affected the league like this.
He’s been sensational. I wouldn’t be swapping him for anybody”. The manager also revealed a delicate touch was required when substituting the in-form striker mid-chase for a second consecutive hat-trick. “He’s precious to us… when he took a knock, it was always in my mind to look after him… I know what way he’s wired, so that was always a difficult dilemma”.
Thiago’s journey to Premier League history is a story of resilience. Hailing from Gama, a satellite city of Brasília, he faced significant personal hardship after losing his father at age 13, even working as a bricklayer to help support his mother before his football talent provided a path forward.
His professional career began modestly at Cruzeiro in Brazil before moves to Bulgaria’s Ludogorets and then Belgium’s Club Brugge, where he honed his skills as a prolific, all-around striker.
His impact at Brentford has been immediate and profound. With 16 goals in 21 league appearances, Thiago is currently the Premier League’s second-top scorer, trailing only Manchester City’s Erling Haaland.
His goal-per-minute ratio of 0.55 this season is the highest among all Brazilian players in the league’s history, underscoring his elite efficiency. The striker’s success is also a testament to Brentford’s renowned scouting and succession planning, which has consistently identified and developed prolific forwards like Ollie Watkins and Ivan Toney.
Beyond the club, Thiago’s record-setting form has placed him firmly in contention for a place in the Brazilian national team ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Having never received a senior international call-up, his performances are now an undeniable statement to national team selectors.
With 17 matches remaining in the Premier League season, Igor Thiago has not only claimed a national record but has also positioned himself to raise the bar for Brazilian excellence in England for years to come.