There have been plenty of top Brazilian players in the Premier League. None have scored more in a single campaign than Igor Thiago.
The 24-year-old striker made it 16 goals for the season in the league with a double for Brentford in their 3-0 win over Sunderland on Wednesday.
That’s the most by a Brazilian in England’s top flight in one season, according to ESPN Research.
Thiago overtook former Liverpool striker Roberto Firmino, Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli and Matheus Cunha — the former Wolverhampton forward now at Manchester United (2024-25) — who all had 15 goals in a single Premier League campaign.
Gabriel Jesus, Richarlison and Philippe Coutinho are other leading Brazil attackers to have played in the league.
Thiago was on back-to-back hat tricks, after his treble at Everton on Sunday, when Brentford manager Keith Andrews took him off in the 82nd minute against Sunderland.
“He’s precious to us,” said the Bees boss. “So, when he took a knock, it was always in my mind to look after him and take the edge off the full game.
“But when he’s on two goals, I know what way he’s wired, so that was always a difficult dilemma.
“I had to just make that decision, which obviously wasn’t entirely popular with him.”
Thiago is in his first season as Brentford’s first-choice striker following the recent departures of Ivan Toney, Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa. He was signed for £30 million ($40m) from Club Bruges in the summer of 2024, only to be ruled out of his entire first season through injury.
“I think anybody that thought he would have been this good is probably not being honest,” added Andrews.
“Because I don’t know how many have come from the Bulgarian League to the Belgian League, had a year out injured and then affected the league like this.
“He’s been sensational. I wouldn’t be swapping him for anybody.”
Thiago has never played for Brazil but is pushing to make the national team’s squad for the World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico this year.
Information from The Associated Press and PA was used in this report.