Brentford manager Keith Andrews has voiced his support for striker Igor Thiago to receive a call-up to the Brazilian national team, highlighting the player's ambition and impressive performances. Andrews' endorsement comes after Thiago's pivotal role in Brentford's recent Premier League victory against Burnley, where he scored twice in a 3-1 win.
Thiago, 24, has had a strong season, netting 11 Premier League goals thus far. This places him among the league's top scorers, second only to Erling Haaland of Manchester City. Andrews acknowledged the Brazilian's desire to represent his country on the international stage. "From my relationship with Thiago, his aspirations are to play for Brazil," Andrews stated. He also affirmed the club's support in helping Thiago achieve his dream.
Andrews has been impressed with Thiago's impact, especially considering the challenges he has overcome. "Probably not, if we're being honest, because it's not normal for players to come from Bulgarian, Belgian football, have a year out injured, more or less, and then impact the Premier League in the way that he has," Andrews told reporters. He further added, "I knew he would have a serious impact on the league because of the attributes he has physically and the type of player he is, but the goal return and the overall performance levels have been really, really impressive".
Thiago's journey to the Premier League has been marked by perseverance. After losing his father at a young age, he worked in construction and other jobs to support his family before pursuing a career in football. He played for Cruzeiro in Brazil before moving to Europe, where he had stints with Ludogorets Razgrad in Bulgaria and Club Brugge in Belgium. Brentford signed him in July 2024 for a club-record fee, entrusting him with the task of filling the void left by Ivan Toney.
Despite a difficult first season in England, where he was hampered by a knee injury, Thiago has emerged as a key player for Brentford this season. His goal-scoring ability and physical presence have made him a handful for defenders. Andrews believes that Thiago's continued dedication and consistent performances will increase his chances of a Brazil call-up.
"I think Thiago just needs to keep doing what he is doing, consistently do it well, and the goals will come," Andrews said. He also highlighted that Thiago is currently the top-scoring Brazilian in all major divisions, a statistic that further strengthens his case for international recognition.
Thiago's potential inclusion in the Brazil squad would add to the growing list of Premier League players vying for a spot in the national team. With competition for places fierce, Thiago will need to maintain his impressive form to convince Brazil manager Carlo Ancelotti of his worth. Andrews and Brentford are fully behind Thiago as he strives to achieve his "big dream" of representing Brazil.
In related team news, Andrews expressed his sympathy for Fabio Carvalho, who recently suffered an ACL injury during training. Andrews acknowledged that Carvalho's injury was a significant blow to the player, who had been working hard to develop his game. The club has pledged to provide Carvalho with full support during his recovery.
