In a small town in Brazil, 24-year-old Igor Thiago grew up with one thing clear in his mind: becoming a professional footballer. His mother, Maria Diva, raised him and four other children on her own, working as a refuse collector, but that never held her back from supporting her son's dreams.
Thiago made the promise to his mother when he was young, saying he would become a footballer and everyone would know him one day. However, his path to success wasn't straightforward. He had to wait until 17 to sign for a club after facing several rejections at trials around Brazil.
One of Thiago's early mentors, Sergio Goncalves, told BBC Sport that the striker was born to score goals but faced struggles in his youth due to the turbulence surrounding Cruzeiro, where he played. The team went through a tough period, which affected all players and coaching staff, including younger players who felt it more.
Thiago fell into depression during this time, questioning himself about whether he should continue as a professional footballer. However, his mother's love and the support of Goncalves helped him to find strength and move forward.
The 24-year-old has now found success in the Premier League with Brentford, scoring 16 times in the season so far. His goal-scoring record this season is on track to surpass his previous performances in Europe, making many fans believe that he could be one of the top scorers in the league.
Despite struggling at Cruzeiro due to instability and pressure, Thiago's mentality has been praised by those who have worked with him. His eagerness to improve and please teammates, such as Cauly, is often noted as a key factor in his success.
Thiago has stated that he never forgot about his dream of playing in the Premier League, even when faced with challenges. He's now competing with Erling Haaland for top scorer honors, which could make him one of Brazil's best strikers ahead of the World Cup this summer.
With many expecting Thiago to break records and perform at his best, Goncalves can't help but dream big about what he could achieve in the tournament. "I've already been dreaming about it - the World Cup final, him scoring the winning goal," Goncalves said.
Thiago's dedication, perseverance, and strong mentality make him a player to watch this season and in the upcoming World Cup. His path from a small town in Brazil to becoming one of the top strikers in the Premier League is an inspiration to many, proving that with hard work and determination, even the most impossible dreams can come true.
Thiago made the promise to his mother when he was young, saying he would become a footballer and everyone would know him one day. However, his path to success wasn't straightforward. He had to wait until 17 to sign for a club after facing several rejections at trials around Brazil.
One of Thiago's early mentors, Sergio Goncalves, told BBC Sport that the striker was born to score goals but faced struggles in his youth due to the turbulence surrounding Cruzeiro, where he played. The team went through a tough period, which affected all players and coaching staff, including younger players who felt it more.
Thiago fell into depression during this time, questioning himself about whether he should continue as a professional footballer. However, his mother's love and the support of Goncalves helped him to find strength and move forward.
The 24-year-old has now found success in the Premier League with Brentford, scoring 16 times in the season so far. His goal-scoring record this season is on track to surpass his previous performances in Europe, making many fans believe that he could be one of the top scorers in the league.
Despite struggling at Cruzeiro due to instability and pressure, Thiago's mentality has been praised by those who have worked with him. His eagerness to improve and please teammates, such as Cauly, is often noted as a key factor in his success.
Thiago has stated that he never forgot about his dream of playing in the Premier League, even when faced with challenges. He's now competing with Erling Haaland for top scorer honors, which could make him one of Brazil's best strikers ahead of the World Cup this summer.
With many expecting Thiago to break records and perform at his best, Goncalves can't help but dream big about what he could achieve in the tournament. "I've already been dreaming about it - the World Cup final, him scoring the winning goal," Goncalves said.
Thiago's dedication, perseverance, and strong mentality make him a player to watch this season and in the upcoming World Cup. His path from a small town in Brazil to becoming one of the top strikers in the Premier League is an inspiration to many, proving that with hard work and determination, even the most impossible dreams can come true.
Igor Thiago's story is so inspiring 
! I mean, the kid grows up thinking he's gonna be a pro footballer, but it takes him 17 yrs to get his big break 
. And then you see how he goes through all that drama at Cruzeiro and still finds a way to overcome it 
. His mom is literally the definition of a supermom 
. I'm loving how he's already competing with some top dogs like Haaland 
. The fact that he never gave up on his dream is what makes him so special 
. Can't wait to see what happens at the World Cup this summer 
️!
thiago's story is proof that you gotta keep pushing through no matter what life throws at u 
his mom was literally the rock of their family, collecting trash and still managing to support him in becoming a pro footballer 
it's crazy how much pressure he faced at cruzeiro but he never gave up 
i'm rooting for him to smash it in the world cup and make brazil proud 
he's been through so much already but still managed to make it to the premier league and scoring like a pro 
his mom is literally the strongest person ever for supporting him all those years 
i'm not surprised he's competing with haaland for top scorer honors 
. His story's like a Brazilian soap opera – drama, romance, and goals galore 
.
. It shows you don't have to be born with the "golden touch" to succeed in football – hard work and a good attitude can take you far 
.
. Like, who is this kid going to score against? But hey, it's all good vibes – Thiago's got this 
.
. Igor Thiago's perseverance in the face of adversity is a testament to the power of resilience and dedication. It's remarkable how his mother's unwavering support helped him navigate the turbulent period at Cruzeiro, allowing him to find strength in her love. His eagerness to improve and please his teammates has been a key factor in his success, showcasing a true team player mentality 
. The fact that he never forgot about his dream of playing in the Premier League is a great example of the importance of maintaining a long-term perspective. I'm excited to see how he'll perform at the World Cup this summer, and Goncalves' dream of him scoring the winning goal in the final is definitely something we should all be rooting for 
!
. And can you imagine if he actually scores the winning goal in the World Cup final? 
That would be amazing!
Can we get some concrete sources on this? How many kids were affected by the instability, and what exactly was going on behind the scenes that made it so bad for Thiago?
! What do you guys think his chances are at breaking records and making Brazil proud in the World Cup?