In a recent interview with his current club Leicester City FC, Hamza Choudhury has described his pride in representing his Bangladeshi heritage and representing the country on the international football stage. He described Bangladesh as a place defined by its people’s open hearts and their willingness to celebrate one another’s successes, and it’s a sentiment he carries with him every time he pulls on the national jersey.
Since pledging his allegiance to Bangladesh in late 2024, Hamza’s stardom has soared across his family’s homeland. His first return visit as an international footballer was nothing short of astonishing—streets overflowing with jubilant Bangladeshis eager to welcome a new hero from their own ranks.
For Hamza, who grew up in Leicester and is an Academy graduate at Leicester City, the moment was the culmination of a childhood dream. Summers spent in rural Bangladesh, playing football in the village lanes with local kids, had shaped his ambition to one day step out onto the grandest stages of world football. A proud FA Cup winner with Leicester, Hamza is now a senior figure in the Foxes’ squad. But his commitment to Bangladesh has imbued his career with new meaning—a responsibility he takes on with great pride.
Alongside his international teammates, he is determined to help Bangladesh rise as a footballing force, inspiring the next generation while also looking to drive Leicester forward in his club career.
Off the pitch, the 27-year-old finds the deepest satisfaction in sharing the Bangladesh he grew up loving with his own young family. Reflecting on a recent international break, which included a 1-0 win over Bhutan, Hamza shared in the exclusive interview,
“My mum, brothers, and sisters came out, which was really nice. My kids are six, five, and two. The oldest two definitely [can appreciate it]. My little boy is obsessed with football; it’s all he does! I come in, and he’s watching full 90 minutes of matches! My daughter enjoys the experience too. She’s not as into football, more of an artsy girl, but it’s nice for her to experience the culture. The first time we went over, we went back to my village, and it was really rural. For them to meet family they’d never met and just be out in the streets playing with other kids was wonderful. It was a big part of my childhood, so being able to give that to them now is amazing.”
The sight of thousands lining the streets to welcome him home was a powerful reminder of who Hamza represents: his people, his roots. He says the connection he feels now is unlike anything he has experienced before. Even at the club’s headquarters in Austria this week, Bangladesh flags were visible, such is the wave of positivity that surrounds the Foxes’ tough-tackling No. 17.
“It’s indescribable,” he explains. “The lads speak about it quite a lot, and it feels surreal. I don’t think it will ever feel normal, that level of reception. As footballers, we get a lot of attention in the UK, but it’s nothing like the welcome I received there. It’s amazing. People might say it’s overwhelming, but honestly, it’s all from the heart. They’re all just there to show me love and positivity, and that’s such a good feeling. That’s why I love spending time with them, just giving them an extra few minutes, because they travel so far to see me. The flags were amazing. It’s a big part of our heritage and culture—supporting your own people and celebrating each other’s success. It’s incredible.”
Earlier this summer, Hamza scored his first-ever goal for Bangladesh, and it was a moment he’ll never forget—not only for the emotional significance but also because it came from an unexpected source: his head. Known more for his defensive capabilities than his aerial threat, the goal raised a few eyebrows back home among his teammates.
“Amazingly, I don’t think I’ve even scored a header in training before!” he laughs. “I was as surprised as most of the lads here. I was chuckling to myself as I ran back. Honestly, the fans, and the buzz around Bangladesh and the city—it’s just crazy. Football is huge there. It’s the sport people love the most. Cricket had been the dominant sport for a while, but now there’s such a buzz around football. The stadium was packed four hours before the game. The federation even put on a concert before kick-off; they’re really pushing money, time, and effort into it. Hopefully, we can build on the momentum and get some good results in the upcoming fixtures.”
Though still early in his international career with the Bengal Tigers, Hamza remains focused on his goals and is determined not to get carried away by comparisons to national icons like cricketing hero Shakib Al Hasan, who is widely regarded as the greatest sportsman Bangladesh has ever produced. As Hamza’s journey continues, both with Leicester City and Bangladesh, he’s proving that pride in one’s roots can be as powerful as any trophy.