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Choudhury was welcomed as a hero in Bangladesh. |
In a video posted on his personal page on March 20, Choudhury combined childhood photos with his mother, family, and visits to his home country of Bangladesh with the hero's welcome upon arriving in the capital Dhaka.
Thousands of fans carrying banners, flags and flares crowded the streets. Amidst the honking of cars, cheers and showers of confetti, Choudhury emerged as a new ray of hope for Bangladeshi football.
Sharing on social media, he wrote: "A wonderful welcome back to my homeland". The gentle melody of the song To Build A Home made the video even more touching. Below, many fans left emotional comments.
"Congratulations Hamza. You are an inspiration to a generation", "Can't believe what I'm witnessing", "You have given us the belief to dream again. Lead us to glory"... are the common reactions of Bangladeshi fans.
Choudhury was born in Loughborough (England), joined Leicester City at the age of 7 and was once considered one of the most promising young talents of English football. His fiery playing style and fearlessness helped him play 7 times for the England U21 team in the period 2018 - 2019.
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Thousands of people poured into the streets to welcome the Leicester City star. |
There was even a time when Choudhury was on Barcelona's radar. But when the door closed with England, the player, who was on loan at Sheffield United, decided to turn in another direction. That was to wear the Bangladesh national team shirt.
The return to Bangladesh was not just a professional affair. For Choudhury, it was also a journey to find his roots. Raised in a traditional Muslim family, he spoke fluent Bengali and returned to his mother’s homeland every year before he turned 16.
In August 2024, Choudhury officially received a Bangladeshi passport, and was approved by FIFA to change his nationality in December. He is ready to play in the match against India in the Asian Cup qualifiers on March 25.
In an earlier interview, Choudhury confided: "England is my home, so is Bangladesh. Coming back to my motherland, representing the place I grew up and the people I love, fills me with pride."
Choudhury won the FA Cup in 2021, played in the Premier League and was once hailed in England, but perhaps becoming a symbol of hope for an entire nation was the pinnacle of his career.
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