Igor Thiago is already living the dream. The Brentford striker grew up in Brazil watching World Cups with his family, and now it has become an 'incredible' reality. Thiago, 24, only received his first call-up in March, but after a sensational and prolific season in the Premier League, he is in the Brazil squad and already making an impact.
Brentford's penalty king — he simply does not miss — has taken his prowess from 12 yards to the international arena, scoring two in his first three games for his country. He was mobbed by teammates after scoring against Panama this week.
Thiago said: 'I have been dreaming about this moment. When it happened, it took me a while to absorb what was happening because it is Brazil; there is 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. You have to go through it to really understand.'
'I watched all of the World Cups when I was growing up. There used to be 100 people there, the whole family — parents, cousins, the whole family — and we would all gather to watch. It was a huge moment just for the whole country to stop and watch Brazil at the World Cup. When Brazil won, there was a party and happiness. But when Brazil lost it was so sad and we were all crying.'
Sadly, there have been many tears shed over recent tournaments. The five-time winners have not progressed past the quarter-finals in the last two World Cups and have not won it since 2002. That is why they brought in Carlo Ancelotti to guide them this time, but everyone knows that will only ramp up the pressure on Brazil this summer.
However, Thiago is ready and braced for it — and insists he will be able to handle it in his own way and with his own 'superpower.'
'When you are playing for the Brazil national team, you have to deal with this kind of pressure because it is part of playing for Brazil,' he said. 'When you are a footballer in the national team, you have to deal with it. This is where my religion comes in to support me. My faith is my source of peace, balance and to give my best.'
'It has been an amazing season for me, for the club as well and we have done good things this season. I am really happy to show myself to people, the player I am, so it is good. It is something I have dreamed of for my whole life. To be called up, to represent my country, to fight for my country, to represent my people, it is something that I cannot explain or put into words.'
His faith — together with his mentality — has guided him through tough times of growing up, being rejected, finding his way with Ludogorets and then Club Brugge before realising his dream of playing in the Premier League with Brentford.
'My mentality helped me but mostly my faith,' said Thiago. 'I believe my faith is the most important dimension in our lives because this brings us all — not just me — to another level when we are playing. I sometimes feel — and it is hard to explain — that I have a superpower because of my faith.'
'I think to other people it might sound like madness, but to me, when I am on the ground, when things start to happen, and things are happening, I believe and I am sure that there is something supernatural, beyond me, beyond myself when things happen in the way they should. I think, just with my own qualities, it would not be possible to achieve that much. This is why, with God, that I will achieve even more. God is with me all the time.'
Thiago also grew up idolising two World Cup superstars but also with a grounding from his mother, Marie Diva, and a capacity to learn which has shaped his route to the World Cup.
He added: 'There were two I watched a lot. Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar. These two, I watched them a lot, I studied them and always enjoyed it. My mum is the biggest inspiration in my life. She was the one who always supported me, she gave me love and also taught me that if you give love, you will get love back and this love will bring to you everything you desire. Through love, everything comes back to you.'
'My biggest quality is a willingness to learn. I came from a background with no foundations, I had to learn by watching people and wanting to improve and that strength is vital to me.'
