Igor Thiago's first Premier League season, 2024/25, was disrupted by knee injuries, but he more than made up for lost time the following campaign. The Brazilian striker started all but one of Brentford's league games and scored 22 goals, the most by a Brazilian in a single Premier League season. You have to go back 88 years to find the last time a Brentford player scored as many top-flight goals.
So far in 2026/27, however, Thiago has failed to hit the same heights. Seven games in, he has scored one goal and provided one assist. His struggles began at the 2026 World Cup, where he was a surprise inclusion in Brazil's starting line-up against Morocco. Brazil head coach Carlo Ancelotti described him as strong in the air and aggressive, but Thiago missed a big chance after 13 minutes, and Sky Sports' Lewis Jones called his hold-up play "very stodgy." He was replaced by Luiz Henrique at the 62-minute mark and did not feature again at the tournament.
His club form has also dipped. On the opening weekend, Thiago hit the base of the post from a penalty against Tottenham, and after four league games he had accumulated 2.41 xG, yet a goal drought stretching back to the end of 2025/26 extended to seven games. That drought finally ended on September 18, when he tapped in Kevin Schade's saved shot to put Brentford 2-0 up against Chelsea.
The relief was short-lived. In the 2-2 draw with Aston Villa, he had just one shot, although he did provide an assist. With Brentford preparing to face Hull City on Super Sunday, the question is whether the striker can rediscover his scoring touch.
Source: Sky Sports Champions League · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing