Brentford’s Igor Thiago and Bournemouth’s Rayan will put a friendship aside for a couple of hours this weekend, when the two Brazilians meet in the Premier League.
The pair face each other on Saturday, with Brentford fifth and still unbeaten this season. Bournemouth, meanwhile, are 15th and looking for their first league win.
However, there is a little more to this one than two Brazilian forwards meeting on a Premier League pitch.
Igor Thiago has now revealed that their friendship in England has involved plenty of time together, including a barbecue that went on until the early hours.
Friendship has grown in England
The Brentford striker spoke to ESPN Brazil’s João Castelo-Branco ahead of Saturday’s game.
“(Our friendship started) thanks to the Premier League and the national team. He’s a fantastic kid who teaches me a lot through his simplicity and humility,” Igor Thiago said.
“He made our friendship genuine, and I have a lot of affection for him. I took him to my house, we had a barbecue and stayed up until the early hours talking.”
That relationship isn’t new to anyone who followed the pair with Brazil. Igor Thiago had already spoken after the World Cup about how close he and Rayan had become. They were both part of Brazil’s 26-man squad for the tournament.
The friendship actually started right after Rayan’s move from Vasco da Gama to Bournemouth. Igor Thiago had already been in England for around 18 months by that point. So having another Brazilian striker nearby helped things along pretty quickly.
“Someone I’ll take with me for life”
Igor Thiago clearly thinks very highly of the Bournemouth forward off the pitch. He’s just as positive about what Rayan can do on it.
“He’s someone I have a special affection for and, without a doubt, someone I’ll take with me for life,” he said.
“He also has incredible qualities. I had the opportunity to be with him in the national team, and he’s a kid who will still bring a lot of joy to our national team.”
On Saturday, the friendship can wait. Brentford want to keep their unbeaten start going and Bournemouth badly need their first victory.
Afterwards, you’d imagine they’ll have plenty to talk about again.
