Thiago, 24, spoke to the Mirror ahead of the most significant game of his career, one that doubles as a Golden Boot head-to-head between the division's two outstanding finishers. Haaland has 25 league goals, Thiago has 22 with three matches remaining. Nobody else is close.
Asked about Haaland, Thiago barely needed the question to finish before he wanted to answer — and abandoned his interpreter entirely.
"I really like him, I really like him. I like him as a player because he has inspired me 100 per cent. I have learned so much from him during this season. His movement, his personality, I really like him as a person. I have watched him so much — I have seen clips of him in the changing room as well. He does things on the pitch that I really, really like and I can get a lot from him."
His delight at competing for the same prize was unambiguous.
"I have dreamed about it. I believed it could happen. But now it is here — and it's incredible. I'm really happy to be in this phase of my life, playing in the Premier League and competing against these kind of players."
The journey to this point is among the more remarkable in the division. Thiago was born in Gama near Brasília, one of four siblings. His father died when he was 13 and he worked in construction and handed out flyers at markets to support his mother María Diva, who he credits as his biggest influence.
"She taught me if you give love, you get love back."
He started playing football at eight, had trials at various clubs, joined Cruzeiro's academy and then took the unusual decision four years ago to move to Ludogorets in Bulgaria — a route that raised eyebrows but ultimately led him to Club Brugge and then to Brentford.
"Once I got there, the experience was incredible. That was when I realised how strong my desire was to succeed. It was in Bulgaria where people began to see me — that was important for me to build confidence, which helped me improve and got me to Belgium, then to get here, which is where I always wanted to be."
A serious knee injury kept him out for the best part of a year after joining Brentford in 2024, delaying the breakthrough that this season has delivered in full. He earned his first Brazil call-up in March and holds the record for the most goals by a Brazilian in a single Premier League season. His current market value is €50million. Four years ago it was €450,000.
His faith runs through all of it.
"I always wanted to get to the Premier League because it would help me prove to myself that God was working with me. Regardless of what was happening, God would find a way of bringing me to where I wanted to be."
The sense of collective purpose at Brentford has matched his individual ambition.
"In this club, it's about being together — a sense of family, togetherness — and this feeling is inspirational for all the players especially because no-one really believes Brentford can be this good. But the sense of togetherness is our greatest strength."
Haaland meets his biggest fan on Saturday. Only one of them can win the Golden Boot.