Igor Thiago scored two more goals on Saturday to move closer to Erling Haaland in the Premier League Golden Boot race, but how long will it be until he bids for his next one?
MORE — Brentford vs Burnley recap, video highlights
Brentford’s red-hot Brazilian striker converted a penalty than cleaned up a loose ball mess in the Burnley box as the Bees bested the Clarets 3-1 on Saturday at the Gtech Community Stadium.
But his joy was somewhat sort-lived as he was forced out of the game late following a leg injury.
Thiago was limping as he left the pitch, and the 24-year-old did go down the tunnel following his removal in the second minute of stoppage time. He was replaced by Keane Lewis-Potter and Brentford fans will be hoping the move was more about precaution as well as the time and state of the game.
Igor Thiago injury history, news as Brentford’s Keith Andrews praises striker
If Thiago is in rough shape, Andrews was not letting on — the Brentford boss just praised his big man.
“He’s been magnificent,” Andrews said. “I thought he was quiet in the first half. I put on him a little bit at halftime. Some of that was down to us and service. I thought he could impose himself a little bit more on the game and he certainly did in the second half.”
Thiago missed so much time for Brentford last season but has been a horse during this campaign, playing 90 minutes regularly and starting all of the Bees’ Premier League outings.
Last season was different, as he missed the first 11 games of the PL season with a meniscus injury. He returned and made four appearances but was hurt after the last outing, his first start, and did not come back until the final four games of the season.
“I think Thiago just needs to keep doing what he is doing, consistently do it well, and the goals will come,” Andrews said. “I have just been told that he is the top-scoring Brazilian in all of the major divisions, so it is pretty impressive really, isn’t it?”
Hopes were massively high for a player Brentford bought after scoring 29 goals in 55 games during the 2023-24 season for Club Brugge. Those hopes have been met so far this season, and Andrews is backing Thiago in his dream to earn a spot in the Brazilian national team.
