Brentford's Igor Thiago has declared his Premier League Golden Boot race with Manchester City's Erling Haaland a key motivator as he prepares to represent Brazil. The 24-year-old striker, with 19 goals this season - three behind Haaland - was named in Luiz Felipe Ancelotti's squad for upcoming friendlies against France and Croatia. 'Competing alongside a player of Haaland's calibre gives me even more motivation to represent my country,' Thiago stated, highlighting his contract extension until 2031 and Brentford's rise to seventh in the Premier League as evidence of his form. 'The work I'm putting in is being noticed by people,' he added, emphasizing that achieving results in such a tough competition is a 'greatest dream' and 'greatest achievement' of his life.