Brentford striker Igor Thiago has used his first Brazil call-up to underline how far his game has travelled in West London, repeatedly pointing back to his club form when discussing this breakthrough moment.
The 24-year-old arrives on international duty after a standout Premier League campaign. His 19 league goals have pushed him into the Golden Boot conversation, only trailing Erling Haaland.
That output has been the foundation of his inclusion for the friendlies against France and Croatia. It has also caught the attention from bigger clubs like Newcastle, Aston Villa, Tottenham, and more recently Chelsea.
However, when speaking to the Brazilian FA official channels after joining up with the national team squad, Igor Thiago kept bringing the conversation back to Brentford – and what his performances there now represent.
Brentford platform at centre of his rise
He made it clear that his club form is not always fully visible to fans in Brazil. That is why he sees this call-up as a chance to bridge that gap.
“I think not everyone has the possibility to watch the Premier League or has time to watch Brentford play, but everyone will have time to watch our national team,” he explained.
“For me, it is an opportunity to show a little of my football, my grit and my determination, and also to get a little closer to our people.”
That comment says plenty about Brentford’s role in his development. The goals have been scored in England, but this is the stage where he can present that work to a wider audience.
He also directly linked his selection to what he has produced at club level: “Our national team is gigantic. I think that to get here, you have to have performances like this.
“Being behind Haaland and chasing the top scorer award with him, a goalscoring machine, gives me even more drive to show that I am ready for this opportunity.”
Emotional moment, but grounded in club reality
Alongside that, Igor Thiago did not hide how much the call-up means on a personal level.
“Being here is the biggest dream of my life. It is the biggest achievement of my life. It does not even feel real,” he said.
“When I wake up tomorrow, will it be real? It is a feeling I cannot describe – only those who live this moment and are here will know what I am talking about.”
Even so, he kept returning to the path that got him here. He referenced his journey through Cruzeiro, Ludogorets and Club Brugge before arriving at Brentford, stressing how each step helped shape his mentality.
“I have been through many things in my career. Each place taught me something. Today I feel more prepared, more mature.”
What this means for Brentford
This is exactly the outcome Brentford would have hoped for when backing him. His goals now carry international weight, and even Brazilian fans are excited with his form.
More importantly, Igor Thiago is presenting himself as a player shaped by Brentford’s environment. His own words reinforce that link.
This international window offers exposure, but the message is clear – the work that earned it has been done in west London.
🇧🇷💬Igor Thiago | Inspirational words from Brentford player
⭐️ “I lost my father very early. My mother worked alone. There were times when we didn’t have clothes or food at home. Often the electricity was cut. It was a very tough period.”https://t.co/ZfdjLyirp7 #brentfordfc
— Sport Witness (@Sport_Witness) January 7, 2026