Brazil and Brentford striker Igor Thiago is relishing the Golden Boot battle with Manchester City forward Erling Haaland. Thiago has netted 19 goals in 31 Premier League matches, whereas Haaland has scored 22 goals in 29 matches in the league.

Thiago was named in Ancelotti’s squad for the upcoming friendlies against France and Croatia, and the 24-year-old would look to carry his rich form.

“Our national team squad is massive, so I think that to make it this far, you need to put in performances like these,” Thiago, 24, said.

“To be up there with Haaland, competing for the top scorer spot alongside him — a player of his calibre, a goal-scoring machine — I think that gives me even more motivation to represent my country.

“[It gives me more motivation] to show that I’m ready for this opportunity that has come my way … With such a huge squad, I think you have to have these numbers to be able to represent our country.”

Meanwhile, Thiago had signed a contract with Brentford in 2024 and has played a key role in his team’s current position of seventh in the Premier League standings.

“The work I’m putting in is being noticed by people,” Thiago said. “To be able to represent our country by playing in one of the toughest competitions in the world, and to be putting in the performances and achieving the results is something that fills me with pride. And to be here today is, for me, the greatest dream of my life, the greatest achievement of my life.”

Meanwhile, Brazil’s head coach Carlo Ancelotti said the competition for places is intense, and he has only a few spots remaining.

“There are four or five places left, and in that regard we have a lot of doubts,” Ancelotti said.

“That’s why I’ve called up players I don’t know very well. I want one defender, two midfielders and two more forwards. The competition is fierce. It’s lucky for the national team that the players are so talented.”

Brazil takes on France on Thursday in Boston before facing Croatia on March 31 in Orlando.