22 goals 

©TM/IMAGO

Four years ago, Igor Thiago was playing in Bulgaria for Ludogorets’ second team. He was little more than an obscure name at the age of 20, and his market value of €450,000 reflected that. Now, it’s €50 million, and every fan in the Premier League is acutely aware of the Brentford marksman’s goalscoring exploits.

The Brazil international is in contention to play at the 2026 World Cup, as well as rivalling Manchester City star Erling Haaland – arguably the most lethal striker in the world – for the Premier League Golden Boot. With three games to go, Thiago is only two goals adrift of Haaland after notching his 22nd goal of the campaign in the 3-0 win over West Ham on Saturday.

Remarkably, eight of his 22 goals have come from the penalty spot, while Haaland has 21 non-penalty goals this season. Thiago’s efforts in spearheading the attack have contributed to Brentford’s surprise charge towards qualifying for Europe. Haaland has the chance to form his response when City take on Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Monday evening.

The 24-year-old had barely surfaced on the radar when the top goalscorers were predicted at the start of the season in August. After all, he had failed to score in any of his previous eight appearances following his big-money move from Club Brugge in 2024.

Of course, a serious knee injury played its part in hampering his acclimatisation to life in west London. But now he is fully recovered from that and settled in the capital the Bees are reaping the rewards. He already holds the record for most goals scored by a Brazilian in Premier League history – and by some margin, too.

The key encounter for both Thiago and Haaland arrives on Saturday, May 9, when Keith Andrews’ side travel to the Etihad for a crunch encounter, which could have ramifications for the title race, Champions League places and also the Golden Boot. Thiago and his team-mates then take on Crystal Palace at home before a tough clash with Liverpool on the final day of the season at Anfield.

Many would expect Haaland to claim the prize at the end of the season, given his propensity for scoring when City truly need him, and the title race could go right down to the wire. The Norwegian will be looking over his broad shoulders, something he isn’t accustomed to as a two-time previous Golden Boot winner in as many seasons remains a possibility. Thiago’s confidence is sky-high and his ability to produce a surprise means it’s far from a foregone conclusion.