Igor Thiago Brentford rise shocks Brazil as striker becomes Premier League star

The Igor Thiago Brentford rise has become one of the unlikeliest Premier League stories of the season, and the shockwaves are being felt as far as Belo Horizonte. In Brazil, supporters are openly questioning how a striker once dismissed as “not good enough” for a second-division Cruzeiro side is now scoring at a rate matched only by Erling Haaland. Several outlets, including Portal Cruzeirense, have been retracing his journey and expressing the collective disbelief: a player who “didn’t achieve anything here” is suddenly one of Europe’s most productive forwards.

Thiago’s early years never hinted at a breakout of this scale. He played 64 matches for Cruzeiro, scoring ten goals and rarely convincing the fanbase that he was more than a hard-working squad option. By 2022, many assumed the forward would drift through modest moves abroad. Instead, Brentford identified attributes Brazil overlooked — size, relentlessness, and development runway — and under Keith Andrews he has exploded. With 11 goals in his first 14 Premier League games this season, plus another strike in the cup, the 23-year-old sits second only to Haaland in the scoring charts.

Brazilian fans, understandably, are stunned. The idea that the same player who struggled for minutes in Série B is now bullying Premier League defences doesn’t just defy expectations — it challenges how Brazilian clubs judge their own emerging talent.

Thiago’s turnaround is anchored not in sudden superstardom, but in incremental growth that aligned perfectly with Brentford’s recruitment model. Andrews’ side needed a physically dominant nine who could press as aggressively as Ivan Toney once did. Thiago delivered that intensity from day one — the surprise was how quickly goals followed.

Across Brazilian social media, clips of his Premier League finishes circulate daily, accompanied by disbelief. Local pundits describe his evolution as “unexpected and remarkable”, with many wondering whether Cruzeiro missed something or whether Thiago simply matured later than most.

Having followed Brentford closely this season, the pattern is clear: Thiago thrives in systems that remove decision-making clutter and focus on instinct, duels and energy. Cruzeiro, in contrast, asked him to create moments rather than attack space — a mismatch that stalled his growth. In our view, the Premier League’s speed actually suits him more than Brazilian football’s reliance on technical build-up.

Although some fans argue his form is a temporary spike, the underlying numbers — shot volume, expected goals, duel success — sketch a player rising sustainably, not accidentally. It’s worth questioning whether Brazilian academies underestimate late-physical forwards who develop at 22–24 rather than 17–19.

Another point other outlets haven’t highlighted: Thiago’s mentality shift. His off-ball intensity has doubled since moving to England. This suggests coaching, fitness work and tactical clarity have combined to unlock something Cruzeiro never saw.

Brentford face a demanding December run, including fixtures against Tottenham, Leeds and Manchester City. If Thiago maintains his scoring rate through the festive schedule, the conversation will shift from “surprise package” to “certified elite”.

👉 Brentford fans — is Igor Thiago the club’s next £60m striker in the making, or is this just the perfect system at the perfect time?