Many Brazilians still struggle to understand the path Igor Thiago has taken. The Brentford striker is now one of the Premier League’s top scorers.
Yet he left Brazil surrounded by rejection and uncertainty. At the time, he was deemed not good enough for a side playing in the Brazilian second tier. In England, he has completely rewritten that story.
Recently, Globo Esporte had already told his story from a career perspective, but now ESPN Brazil has now revisited his story through a more personal lens. We’re looking beyond the goals.
Growing up surrounded by loss and temptation
Born in the outskirts of Brazil’s capital, Brasília, Igor Thiago lived a difficult childhood. After losing his father, his family and a childhood coach played a decisive role.
“I had friends involved in crime, but my mother, my brother and my childhood coach, didn’t let me get lost. They helped me not to take the wrong path and gave me support to chase my dreams,” he explained.
He also spoke openly about poverty and instability. “It was a very difficult environment. Where I came from was extremely hard. I lost my father very early. People there had no conditions. 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,” Igor Thiago added.
The moment he almost quit football
Football did not offer immediate relief. Before finding a club, he worked as a bricklayer’s assistant. He also worked at street markets and delivered supermarket leaflets. Rejections followed one after another. Eventually, the idea of quitting football crossed his mind.
“My mother was the one who gave me strength and didn’t let me give up on my dreams. I never told this story before. There was a time when I thought about quitting football,” he admitted.
He then recalled the conversation that changed everything. “I was lying on the sofa at home when she came to me and asked why I was there. I said I didn’t want to train anymore. She told me: ‘Get up and go train. You can’t give up on your dreams. Go. A footballer needs to have a story.’ That was when I started to break through,” he said.
From that point on, his routine changed. “It was from there that things started to happen for me, and I arrived here at Brentford. I was 15 or 16. After that, I started training alone. I trained at home and ran 10 kilometres every day. I prepared myself for the opportunity. When it came, I was able to take it. It’s a beautiful journey,” the striker concluded.
From rejection in Brazil to recognition in England
After several years of hard work, recognition followed in Europe. A few brilliant spells paved the way to Brentford.
Now in England, he is the Premier League’s second-highest scorer. ESPN Brazil also note that a new ambition has emerged. After everything he has overcome, Igor Thiago now dreams of reaching the Brazilian national team.
We’ll see if he make it to the plane in June. He is certainly deserving of a seat.
