Igor Thiago to "As": I will be eternally grateful to Ludogorets

Former Ludogorets player Igor Thiago has become a sensation with his outstanding performances in English football. The Brentford striker has netted 21 goals before the current round, putting him in contention with Erling Haaland for the Premier League's top scorer award. Meanwhile, he has also earned a call-up to the Brazilian national team. Thiago has already played two matches for the "Seleção" and even scored a goal, significantly boosting his chances of being part of the squad for the upcoming World Cup. The Brazilian gave an extensive interview to the Spanish newspaper "As," discussing a range of topics. The conversation took place before Brentford's match against Fulham in the 33rd round.

An incredible season. 21 goals, battling for the Golden Boot, and a spot in European competitions. How do you feel?
I'm very happy, honestly. It's been an incredible season. What I'm experiencing is surreal. I can only thank God for this moment I'm living here. I hope to continue performing at the same level as against Everton. And, God willing, secure a place in European competitions.

You're already the Brazilian with the most goals in a calendar year in the Premier League, surpassing Ivan Toney and Bryan Mbeumo – two club legends. That's a huge achievement.
The truth is, from the very beginning of the season, I always had the confidence and belief that I would achieve good numbers here. I always envisioned it, I always told people within the club that I would score 20 or more goals in the Premier League. That was always a clear goal for me here. And to have statistics comparable to players like Ivan Toney, Bryan – who is a very good friend of mine – it's sensational for me, something that truly makes me happy. I can only thank God for these moments. And when you achieve it, when you succeed – the feeling is even more incredible.

You're just one goal behind Premier League top scorer Erling Haaland…
That makes me very happy. Even in my wildest dreams, I never imagined I'd experience this so early – at 24 years old – competing with a player like Haaland. It's something special for me. It's a huge source of pride to be fighting for this award with him. He's someone I learn a lot from by watching his game. Just by observing him, I try to absorb as much as possible of his movements and the ways he capitalizes on his chances. So, he's also an inspiration to me as a footballer. I'm very happy to be competing with him for this award.

Winning this top scorer award would be historic. A moment for a lifetime, right?
Without a doubt. If I win it, I'll first give glory to God, because without Him, I don't think any of this would have been possible in my career. And it would be something extraordinary for both me and, I think, for the club. It would also be great for Brentford to have a player win this award. That would be sensational. I'm very happy and I hope, God willing, I can win this top scorer award, competing with the greatest, with the best in the world. It's something incredible and fills me with pride.

Brentford opened doors for you, and you've responded impressively. What's the secret behind this great period for Igor Thiago?
I'll repeat it, because for me, it's something surreal, something that changed my life: without a doubt, the main key is God, Jesus, my family – it's all connected to my faith, to the certainty that everything in my life happens through what God has ordained for me. I think that's one of the biggest differences. Another thing that changed my mindset is realizing that I'm not good enough on my own – God gave me the strength, God gave me the abilities to do everything I'm doing this season. I hope to continue doing more and more. To be at the level of the greatest, alongside names like Haaland, is something sensational for me.

You have one of the lowest budgets in the Premier League, but you're on the verge of qualifying for Europe. What makes this team so special to achieve that?
(Smiles) We are very united; we believe in the potential of each individual. The club management are people who support us, encourage us, and always want more. I think that's what allows us to reach the highest level. We understand that we have to give our all – everyone has to do it, we have to give everything. For me, that's very positive. We are united, we have a very good atmosphere here, and that's great news. As I've said in other interviews – it's an environment where we don't feel external pressure; we manage to control it within the team. No matter what happens – good or bad – we maintain that control. That's very positive for us.

What's the goal for the rest of the season? Is Europa League qualification possible?
Our goals are very clear – to continue playing as well as we are, and to give our all to ultimately qualify for a European competition. I think we need to be realistic and understand that this is possible for us. That's the mindset we need to have until the end of the season – and we have it. There are six matches left. We know how important these six games are. We know how high the level of the Premier League is. We know we have a chance to play in Europe and take Brentford to an even higher level. We know it's possible, we know the quality of our squad – everyone gives their all, everyone gives their maximum in every match and every training session. So, we will do our best to make our biggest goal for this season a reality.

And the Champions League is still possible…
Of course. We are fully aware of how difficult it is to play in the English league – how competitive and challenging it is. But I think with the team we have, with the quality we possess, we can achieve it.

Your debut for the Brazilian national team, earned through your performances, was the greatest reward. How did you experience your first taste of the "Seleção"?
Representing my country in those two friendlies was the greatest achievement of my life. It made me realize that I need to work even harder, to develop even more, so that I can represent my country many more times, God willing. It's a feeling that cannot be described in words – something I had never experienced before. I am truly very proud and very happy.

How did you experience the moment when Carlo Ancelotti called your name?
It was a mix of emotions because I was on my way to the stadium – we were about to play against Wolverhampton on Monday. On the way to the match, when I arrived at the stadium and saw that the squad announcement was approaching, I rushed… I went to the bathroom so I could watch it live! There I saw the list, and it was incredibly exciting. It was surreal – a mix of emotions I had never felt before. I had to control my excitement a bit because I had a match ahead of me. I was going to play, but, thank God, everything worked out well. I was called up and even scored a goal for my country.

Who did you get along with best? Vini, Endrick, Raphinha, Casemiro…
(Laughs) I remember that week, for a few days, I barely slept well. I was still processing everything that was happening to me. But in the end, everything went perfectly. The atmosphere in the Seleção is very good – very positive and pleasant. It's an environment where everyone feels comfortable. The more experienced players made sure that this moment for us, who were there for the first time, was enjoyable – calm, filled with peace and understanding, where everyone communicates, laughs… you know how it is. I felt a very strong positive energy in the locker room – from the way people believe in us, and how players encourage each other. That was something sensational, something I hadn't experienced before.

Ancelotti put his faith in you, and you justified it. What did you manage to say to him? What did he ask of you?
I had several opportunities to speak with him. He's a very positive person who knows how to manage many things. He tried to instill that confidence in us – and he truly did. He knows how one feels in such initial moments, how players making their national team debut feel. He manages to convey that trust to everyone. That was very important for us to be able to show our best football there.

What did you take away from those almost two weeks with Ancelotti? Did he give you any advice for the end of the season?
What I took away was confidence – to believe more in myself. Carlo is someone who believed in us from the very first moment we stepped in there. That confidence allowed us to give our best and be at the highest level. That was the difference I felt – the way he uses his words to make a player reach their maximum potential. That's something very valuable that I take with me – always having that confidence and believing in myself.

You've had a perfect month: a debut for Brazil, a goal, and then two more for Brentford.
Without a doubt. Every moment I experience here in the Premier League is a moment to remember. The moments with the national team are also like that. But now I need to continue doing what I'm doing – to stay grounded, with a clear head, to work, to develop, and to improve. We have six more matches with Brentford, and they will be like six finals for us – six games where we will give our best and seek positive results to achieve a place in Europe.

If you continue at this level for Brentford, your place in the World Cup squad seems almost certain. Are you already envisioning participating in the tournament?
No, of course not. As I said, the important thing is to continue showing my best football here at Brentford, to develop, to learn, and to perform at a high level, so that, God willing, I can be in the final squad.

Before your Brazil debut, you were just a fan. You experienced the Seleção's disappointments in the Copa América, as well as in the last qualifying matches. Now that you've seen the locker room and atmosphere, do you think Brazil is among the favorites for the World Cup?
Brazil has always been like that. Whatever happens, Brazil is always among the favorites. We are the most successful team in World Cup history. Brazil will always be there – because of the players we have, because of the squad we have, and because of the trophies we've won. I think for us, anything is possible. In Brazil, we have a saying: "we never give up, we always keep fighting." And for this World Cup, we certainly have very good chances. God willing, I believe we will win it.

What do you think about Spain? Could they be the main rival?
Spain also has a very strong squad, a very good team. Without a doubt, they are among the favorites. You just need to look at the players they have.

For those who don't know Igor Thiago yet – how would you describe yourself as a player and as a person?
As a person, I'm cheerful, family-oriented, always with a smile on my face, positive, I love to joke and treat everyone well. I'm a simple person, I live a simple but happy life, full of joy and faith – I believe strongly in God, I love my family, and I love being with them. Without a doubt, there are two sides to Thiago. On the field, I'm much more competitive – I want to win, I fight, I want to constantly win and always score goals. That's me – a person with a big smile and a lot of joy.

Your life hasn't been easy – you lost your father at 13 and had to work to support your family (you handed out flyers, worked as a construction worker, and even as a street vendor). Today you say you are privileged, but everything was achieved with blood, sweat, and tears. What would you say to that young Igor in Brazil?
I would tell him that everything was worth it – the struggle, the dedication, the effort, the belief that one day he could get here. Everything was worth it. He should be commended for the way he thought – for the way he looked at life, for his desire to win, to be successful, for always listening to the people around him. I would tell him to continue in the same way – always learning, wanting to develop even more, working, dedicating himself, because there is certainly much more to achieve, even though at 24 he has already achieved so much. And I am sure that in the future he will achieve even more.

Your story is an example of overcoming difficulties. You went through severe depression, almost in silence, and today you speak openly about it – you were among the first footballers to do so, along with Richarlison. You are one of the important voices on the topic of pressure in professional football. What do you tell younger players when they seek advice?
I try to show them what I went through and what pulled me out of that moment – to rely even more on God, to lean on my family, to prioritize family… to understand that everything passes. Everything will pass. This "desert" is not a place to stay – it's a place for learning. You have to learn the lessons that come with such moments. To try to see the positive in difficulties, not the negative. To know that everything happens for a reason. I try to convey what I have experienced – that you need to get even closer to Christ and give even greater importance to family. If I have to give one piece of advice, it is precisely this: learn from these moments and rely even more on Christ.

What did you spend your first salary on when you realized you had become a professional footballer?
(Smiles) The first thing I did was bring my mother to live with me when I was in Brazil. As soon as I became a professional, I called her and told her that she no longer had to work, that with this salary I could support her and that she could come and live with me. And that's exactly what she did – she moved to Belo Horizonte and lived with me.

After that, at Cruzeiro, you had to go to Bulgaria – a somewhat unusual destination for a Brazilian.
Without a doubt! But Bulgaria is part of my development here in Europe. Part of my growth. Ludogorets is a club that taught me many things and made me the player I am today. They believed in my work, in my potential, they believed that I could become the footballer I am now, and they always encouraged me. That was the first door that opened for me here in Europe. That's why I will be eternally grateful to this club. I feel immense gratitude – it's a great club, the people there… (sighs) incredible – good people, people who support and love. I am filled with gratitude towards Ludogorets.

Who are Igor Thiago's idols?
I haven't had the chance to watch him much, but from what I've seen since his time at Corinthians – Ronaldo "the Phenomenon," because of everything people say about him and what he was. Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar – I've watched him a lot and he's one of my idols. Romelu Lukaku, Karim Benzema – great players. Erling Haaland is also someone who needs no introduction – he's sensational. I learn a lot when I watch him. These are the players who inspire me.

What do you think when people say you are their idol?
(Sighs) Honestly, it's a huge source of pride for me. A boy like me – where he comes from, what he's been through – and to get here, when many people didn't believe in him… that fills me with pride. It makes me realize that the path I've taken has been very right and positive.

If we meet again in four years – by the 2030 World Cup – how do you think Igor's career will have developed? What are your goals?
Without a doubt, I will have won many trophies, established myself as a person and as a footballer. With many titles and as one of the examples of a striker in world football, because I believe strongly in my potential and what I can give. And, of course, with a World Cup title – if God allows me to participate and win it.

What is a question you've never been asked, but would like to answer?
That's a good and very difficult question, because I've never thought about it. I really haven't thought about it and I don't know what to answer right now.

Then, if you'll allow a more personal question – if your father could speak to you now, what do you think he would say?
I think he would say he's very proud of me. He would certainly cry, seeing these moments I'm going through, how I've changed our family's life, everything God has given us, everything he taught me. That's something that would fill me with pride and joy – to give him that reason to be proud. I get a little emotional because it's a topic that touches me deeply. But it would certainly fill him with pride.

Interview by Eduardo Burgos Rodríguez from "As"