Igor Thiago told why he was booed by Brazil fans before scoring first international goal

Igor Thiago was booed before scoring his first international goal for Brazil on Tuesday.

The striker’s own fans jeered him as he stepped up to take a penalty in their victory over Croatia.

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Thiago had made his debut against France five days earlier after receiving a maiden international call-up by Carlo Ancelotti.

He came off the bench once again as the five-time World Cup winners won 3-1 against Croatia in Orlando.

However, the Brentford forward was subjected to boos before converting from 12 yards.

South American football journalist Tim Vickery has now revealed the reason behind those jeers.

Why was Igor Thiago booed?

Vickery has explained that the Brazil fans had wanted another player to take the spot-kick.

Thiago had been chosen for the responsibility by the bench after Real Madrid loanee Endrick was fouled inside the penalty area.

Discussing the incident, Vickery told talkSPORT’s Max Scott and Andy Jacobs: “Igor Thiago of Brentford might have booked his place to the World Cup.

“He came off the bench (on) Tuesday night against Croatia late on.

“Drawing 1-1, they got a penalty. It was one of the most ludicrous penalty decisions I’ve ever seen, but there you go.

“The order comes from the bench, who’s going to be taking the penalty?

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“Your man, Brentford’s man, west London’s finest Igor Thiago.

“As he steps up, there are boos from the Brazilian crowd. They don’t want him to take it.

“They want young Endrick to take it. He’s just come off the bench, he’s won it.

“So Igor Thiago is booed by some of the Brazilian fans before he tucks away the penalty that puts Brazil on the way to a 3-1 win, but he took it very nicely under pressure.”

Fortunately for Thiago, he converted his penalty despite the boos to put Brazil in front with two minutes remaining.

Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli then added a third in stoppage time to seal their victory.

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The 24-year-old will now be hoping to secure a place in Ancelotti’s squad for this summer’s World Cup.

Brazil’s final selection for the tournament will be named in May ahead of warm-up matches against Panama and Egypt.

They then begin their group stage campaign against Morocco on June 3 before facing Haiti and Scotland.

Thiago has scored 22 goals in 33 appearances across all competitions for Brentford this season.

His tally includes 19 goals in 31 Premier League outings for the Bees, the most in a single campaign by a Brazilian.

Only Manchester City’s Erling Haaland has scored more in the competition this term.