Hamza Choudhury's mother: His journey is an inspiration for budding footballers

Dubai: All eyes will be on Hamza Choudhury as he prepares to make his historic debut for Bangladesh national team against India in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualification match.

When the entire nation is rooting for their super star to come good in the match, his parents feel a sense of pride as their son prepares to represent the country. They

“Of course, it’s a great feeling,” Hamza’s mother, Rafiath Choudhury, told RevSportz.

“He played in the Premier League for so long, and now he’s with Sheffield United. Inshallah, he will return to the Premier League again. Now that he is playing for Bangladesh, it means his wish has been fulfilled. And when that happened, we were very happy. It’s a matter of great pride for us.”

Choudhury, currently on loan at Sheffield United from Leicester City, previously represented England at the under-21 level, earning seven caps.

Hamza was born in Loughborough, Leicestershire, to a Grenadian father and a Bangladeshi mother, who supported his passion for football. He played for Leicester City’s youth teams, Burton Albion, and the England U-21 national team, before securing a professional contract with Leicester City FC.

“When Hamza started playing football, his passion was undeniable, and we nurtured it,” said Rafiath. “We gave him opportunities and took him to training. We never assumed he would become a professional footballer, especially knowing how rare it is for South Asian players to make it, with less than 1 per cent of academy players earning professional contracts.

“But his dedication and love for the sport made all the difference. If you have passion and determination, you can achieve anything. In Hamza’s case, football drove him forward. With that belief, no dream is too far out of reach,” she added.

Handling the pressure

She also believed that Hamza is matured enough to handle the pressure due to the soaring expectations. “I think there is a lot of pressure because he’s human. “When people hold you to a certain standard, maintaining that can be hard. He’s not some other being; he’s just human. We all have faults, and we all have strengths. Hopefully, he is strong-minded, has a good heart, and can bring positivity to everyone.”

“Hamza often says that the underdogs, the ones people underestimate, will win,” said his mother. “And when they do, it’s a victory for everyone who shares a similar journey. His story sends a powerful message across Asia, encouraging others to break barriers. It shows that no one should be held back just because someone says they can’t succeed.”

Hamza’s stepfather, Dewan Murshid Choudhury, said: “I can’t express that feeling in words. I never imagined he would receive so much love and respect.”

Hamza had received a hero's welcome from fans upon his arrival in Bangladesh for his first senior international call-up.