The transfer window has closed and Igor Thiago will be staying at Brentford for a while longer, despite considerable interest in the striker over the summer.
Deadline Day passed without a move for the Brazilian, who had attracted attention after an outstanding 2025/26 season. Arsenal, Manchester United and Chelsea were all linked with him, while Juventus and Atlético Madrid were also credited with interest.
Brentford were always in a strong position. Igor Thiago scored 25 goals and provided one assist in 40 appearances last season, earning a place in the Premier League Team of the Season. Reports in Brazil had also put the Bees’ asking price at around £77m (€90m).
The striker then went to the World Cup with Brazil, although the tournament didn’t quite follow the same script as his club season.
Igor Thiago started Brazil’s opener against Morocco but was substituted after 62 minutes. He didn’t play again before Carlo Ancelotti’s side were eliminated by Norway in the last 16.
Now back at Brentford, where he has one goal from his opening three matches of 2026/27, the striker has reflected on everything that happened.
World Cup “opened my eyes”
Speaking exclusively to ESPN Brazil, Igor Thiago explained that the tournament gave him a better understanding of what he still needs to improve.
“It was a very important moment in my career. It opened my eyes in several ways and showed me, above all, what I can do better to help the national team and what I need to improve to continue being part of that environment,” he said.
“It was a wonderful experience, where I made good friends, like Rayan and Endrick. I think the national team needs to maintain this atmosphere of joy and harmony.”
“Without doubt, it was an important learning experience for my career and something that will always stay with me.”
Asked what he could have done better during the tournament, the Brentford striker turned to the pressure surrounding Brazil.
“I think too much of anything is bad. That’s why I tried to remain calm at all times during the World Cup. If I made a mistake, the responsibility would be mine. If I got it right, the credit would also be mine.”
“As time went on and with the experiences I’ve had, I understood that what really matters is keeping the experiences and good memories. What was bad, we leave behind and try to move on in a lighter way.”
“I didn’t get here by chance”
Igor Thiago believes some of the pressure placed on Brazil’s players goes too far.
“If things were a little different, especially regarding the pressure, we’d be in a better situation. Our people put a lot of pressure on things that often don’t need it.”
“If we stopped complaining so much about the small things and gave more support to what really matters, we’d be in a much better situation. That’s my point of view.”
The Brentford man was also asked about the strong criticism which followed his performance against Morocco.
He says staying away from social media meant much of the reaction passed him by.
“I don’t really know anything about the criticism because I wasn’t following social media and I don’t worry much about that either. If people talk about me, that says more about what they think than what I think about myself.”
“I didn’t get here by chance. I got here by working and making an effort. I didn’t reach the national team because of anyone. It was the result of my work and effort.”
“I was also certain that I hadn’t taken anyone else’s place. I earned my own space in the national team. That was one of the things which left me feeling very calm throughout the entire period I was there.”
Brentford striker expects more with Brazil
There is certainly no suggestion from Igor Thiago that his international ambitions ended with a disappointing first World Cup.
The 25-year-old pointed towards Harry Kane and Cristiano Ronaldo when explaining why he believes experience can make him a better striker.
“I’m 25 years old. Just look at great centre-forwards like Harry Kane, in his thirties, and Cristiano Ronaldo, close to 40.”
“Over time, they become different players, with more experience, just as has happened with me since my first call-up.”
“I think this is only the beginning of a beautiful journey I have ahead of me with the national team.”
That confidence will be welcome at Brentford too. The Bees saw Igor Thiago’s reputation rocket during his 25-goal campaign and then watched several major clubs circle their striker.
His World Cup didn’t add another layer to that momentum, but he clearly doesn’t view what happened in North America as a major setback.
Instead, he has returned to Brentford talking about what he learned, what he can improve and why he believes he deserved his opportunity with Brazil.
Three matches into the new season, the task is already set. Start scoring regularly for Brentford again and show that last year’s breakthrough was only the beginning.
