Igor Thiago on Brazil call-up, World Cup pressure and faith as his 'superpower'

Igor Thiago has gone from watching World Cups with 100 family members crammed into a Brazilian living room to scoring for the Selecão in the space of a single season. The Brentford striker, 24, received his first senior Brazil call-up in March and has already netted twice in three appearances, including a goal against Panama this week that left team-mates mobbing him on the pitch.

“I’ve been dreaming about this moment,” Thiago said. “When it happened, it took me a while to absorb what was happening because it’s Brazil — there’s something about that which makes it different. When I see the shirt, the Brazilian shirt with my name, there are no words to describe the feeling.”

Thiago’s rise has been built on a foundation of clinical finishing, most visibly from the penalty spot. His record from 12 yards for Brentford borders on flawless, and that composure has transferred seamlessly to international football. A prolific Premier League campaign this season earned him a place in Carlo Ancelotti’s squad ahead of a summer World Cup in which Brazil will carry enormous expectation — the five-time champions have not progressed beyond the quarter-finals in their last two tournaments and have not lifted the trophy since 2002.

The striker is under no illusions about what representing Brazil means. “When you are playing for the Brazil national team, you have to deal with this kind of pressure because it’s part of playing for Brazil,” he said. “This is where my religion comes in to support me. My faith is my source of peace, balance and to give my best.”

That faith, he says, has been the constant through a career path that included rejection, a rebuilding stint with Ludogorets and a breakout period at Club Brugge before Brentford brought him to the Premier League. “My mentality helped me but mostly my faith,” Thiago said. “I believe my faith is the most important dimension in our lives.”

Growing up, the World Cup was a national event that consumed his entire family. “There used to be 100 people there — parents, cousins, the whole family — and we would all gather to watch,” he recalled. “When Brazil won, there was a party and happiness. But when Brazil lost it was so sad and we were all crying.”

Now Thiago is on the other side of the screen, and the tears, if they come, will be his to shed or celebrate.