Ben Brereton Diaz, the Stoke‑on‑Trent native who now dazzles for Chile, still finds it hard to believe that he is celebrated as a star on the other side of the world. The story began in 2021 when a group of football fans spotted his Chilean heritage on the popular game Football Manager and launched a social‑media push to see him earn a call‑up for La Roja. Since that grassroots campaign, the Derby forward has amassed 42 caps and netted ten goals for the South American side. "Every time I step onto the pitch in Chile, it feels amazing," Brereton Diaz told reporters.
"The support from the fans is unbelievable. The first time I was called up I was overwhelmed by the love and the atmosphere. Scoring goals and getting regular minutes has been a dream come true. I’m proud to make my family, who split their lives between Chile and England, feel proud as well." He added that choosing to represent Chile has enriched his life in ways he never imagined.
"The experiences have been fantastic, I’ve learned a lot, and each call‑up feels like a gift. I hope there are many more to come," he said. Unfortunately, Chile missed out on the last two World Cups, a disappointment that Brereton Diaz took in stride. "We didn’t qualify and it hurt, but it also fuels our ambition.
There’s a lot of young talent emerging and we’re building a squad that can get back to the biggest stage," he explained, expressing optimism for the future. In the Championship, Portsmouth have endured a difficult campaign, languishing near the bottom of the table. Yet for 22‑year‑old Northern Irish right‑back Terry Devlin, the season has been a personal breakthrough. Deployed as both a traditional right‑back and a more advanced wing‑back, Devlin has become a key figure for the Pompey side.
"There have been ups and downs for the club, but on an individual level I’ve really enjoyed the experience," Devlin said. "It’s my first season playing week‑in‑week‑out, which has been hugely positive.
I’d love to see the team climb higher in the standings, but it feels good to have cemented my place and to be contributing consistently." He credited his progress to a disciplined routine and a professional mindset. "Consistency is everything," Devlin noted. "Day after day I’ve been doing the same work I did last season and the season before. Over time that consistency shows up in performances.
Being a good professional means giving your best every single day. I’ll keep learning from the senior players and refining my game, hoping that will help me reach the level I aspire to." Across the globe, English midfielder Jamal Lewis experienced a rare and unconventional move during the 2024 summer window.
After a loan spell at Watford the previous season, Lewis swapped the English game for a brief stint with São Paulo in Brazil, a transfer that surprised many. "It happened late in the window, but it sounded like a fantastic opportunity," Lewis recalled. "Everyone knows how prestigious Brazilian football is, and I wanted to test myself in a different market, soak up a new culture, meet the people and experience the league first‑hand." His Brazilian adventure was cut short, however, when an injury sustained on international duty forced him back to Newcastle after just six appearances. "I didn’t get to explore Brazil as much as I hoped.
São Paulo is a massive city – you can drive an hour and still be in the same urban sprawl. It was a breath of fresh air, but my lack of Portuguese limited my ability to connect fully. I’d love to return someday and get more out of the experience," he said.
At Watford, 26‑year‑old Imran Louza has taken on the captain’s armband, stepping into the role permanently after Moussa Sissoko’s departure to Panathinaikos in February. Louza, who has been with the club for five years, says leadership comes naturally to him, though he acknowledges the learning curve.
"Being a captain takes time. If I were still in France it would be easier to communicate, but after five years in England I try to support my teammates in any way I can. Respect is mutual – they respect me and I respect them. That’s the foundation of good leadership," he explained.
He prefers to lead by example on the pitch rather than through endless speeches in the dressing room, though he admits that sometimes a vocal push is necessary. "I always give my heart, my passion, my runs on the field. Occasionally I have to shout to motivate the lads because the captain’s role includes that. You can’t be nice all the time; you have to be competitive and want to win every game.
That attitude helps the whole squad." Championship football rarely features World Cup winners, yet Steven Nzonzi, a member of France’s 2018 triumph, smiles when he reflects on the pinnacle of his career. In the 55th minute of the final at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium, Nzonzi entered the match with France leading 2‑1 against Croatia, replacing none other than N’Golo Kanté.
"There was immense pressure," Nzonzi recalled. "Coming on for arguably the best player of the tournament was daunting, but you have to focus, block out everything else and just play.
When I came on we were 2‑1 up, and we added a couple more goals in the next ten minutes. I was relieved and just gave my best." When Kylian Mbappé scored the fourth goal, Nzonzi felt the reality of becoming a world champion sink in. "At 4‑1 I looked around at my teammates and thought, ‘this is it.’ Even after the second goal we knew the match was ours.
That moment is when you truly realise you’re a champion." The euphoria continued after the final whistle, with the team celebrating with fans, waving French flags, and sharing moments with family. "I don’t even remember whether I held the trophy before or after meeting my son – everything was a blur.
The images of the trophy in my hands, the medal around my neck, are memories that will stay with me forever," he said. These stories illustrate the diverse journeys of players across the Championship – from a Chilean international finding a second home, to a young Irish defender carving his path, to an English midfielder tasting Brazilian football, a Watford captain embracing leadership, and a World Cup hero reliving his crowning moment. Each narrative adds depth to the league’s rich tapestry, reminding fans that behind every match are personal dreams, cultural exchanges, and unforgettable milestones.