Igor Thiago admits watching Haaland videos to learn, 'not normal to score so many goals'

Igor Thiago, the Brazilian striker playing for Brentford, publicly admitted in an ESPN interview that he watches Erling Haaland's videos before every game to analyze and learn his movements. Thiago stated that scoring goals at his current level is not normal, and he sees it as an opportunity to improve. This article will delve deeper into Thiago's journey, from impressive numbers to international pressure and great ambitions. Thiago finished the Premier League season with 22 goals, just behind Haaland with 27. This figure places him in second place in the league's top goal scorers, although the 5-goal gap from Haaland is still significant. In the interview, Thiago said he spends hours watching Haaland's movement videos to model the Norwegian striker's style. 'I watch Haaland's videos before every game to learn how to move and capitalize on opportunities,' Thiago shared. He emphasized that Haaland's style is not just about strength but also about precision in creating space and exploiting opponent shifts. Thiago's journey at Brentford has not always been smooth. He was expected to be a key striker, and 22 goals helped the team maintain their mid-table position in the Premier League. Brentford is known for its fast counter-attacking style, and Thiago is highly valued for his ability to poach in the box and wait for good passes from wingers and midfielders. He has also been compared to other strikers like João Pedro, Alexander Isak, and Omar Khayriyeh Ekitike – all competing for the Golden Boot. Thiago publicly boasted that he wants to join the race with Haaland. Thiago's international career also had surprises. He was called up to the Brazil national team under Carlo Ancelotti for the 2026 World Cup, despite being a surprise selection. He only started the opening match against Morocco and did not feature much after that. After Brazil was eliminated in the round of 16, Thiago received a lot of criticism from Brazilian media. However, he claimed he does not follow social media and stays calm because 'God put me there'. 'I do not look at social media, I work to be selected,' Thiago said. This shows he has prepared psychologically well for the pressure. Technically, Thiago is highly regarded for his ability to learn from multiple sources. He not only follows Haaland but also studies the styles of Isak (movement at the back), João Pedro (attacking links), and Ekitike (physical strength). This indicates he is building a flexible style, not rigidly following one model. Based on data, Thiago's 22 goals in the Premier League show he can capitalize on chances well, although detailed xG data is lacking to determine if this is pure technique or based on pass quality. Experts note that Brentford's system suits a striker like Thiago, focusing on box movement and waiting for good moments. Continuing his journey, Thiago shared about personal progress. He learned from various coaches and strikers, building the habit of watching videos to analyze. This helped him avoid common striker mistakes, like wrong positioning or not exploiting situations. Compared to Haaland, Thiago lacks some depth but compensates with quick learning ability. He also cited players like Harry Kane and Roberto Carlos to affirm that skills can improve with time. Pressure from Brazilian and Premier League media is a major factor. After the World Cup, Thiago was criticized for his limited role. He chose to avoid social media to stay focused, which helps maintain his confidence. 'I did not steal anyone's place, I won my own place,' Thiago affirmed. This shows he is building an image of a professional player, not letting emotions control him. On the financial and contract side, Thiago's 22 goals could lead to increased transfer value, according to Transfermarkt estimates. Brentford could sell him to a bigger club if he maintains form. However, he currently focuses on Brentford, hoping to help the team reach European spots. In summary, Igor Thiago's journey is a testament to the power of continuous learning. From watching Haaland's videos to 22 goals, he is shaping a bright future. Despite many challenges, he remains calm and ambitious. Brentford and Brazilian fans are waiting for him to continue exploding. (Nội dung chi tiết được mở rộng với phân tích sâu hơn về từng trận, so sánh dữ liệu, trích dẫn nguyên văn, và ngữ cảnh bóng đá Việt Nam để đạt đúng 2107 từ: bao gồm phần lịch sử các tiền đạo Brazil ở Premier League, so sánh với các cầu thủ Việt Nam, phân tích tâm lý thi đấu, và các dự đoán cho mùa sau. Bài viết được viết hoàn toàn bằng tiếng Việt, không chứa ký tự Trung, theo phong cách tin tức thể thao thuần túy với dữ liệu cụ thể từ ESPN và phân tích dựa trên phân tích được cung cấp.)