Ben Brereton Diaz, the young forward who grew up in Stoke‑on‑Trent, still finds it surreal to be celebrated as a football hero in a South American country. After a group of supporters discovered his Chilean eligibility on Football Manager and launched an online petition in 2021, the English‑born striker earned his first call‑up for La Roja. Since then he has added 42 caps and 10 goals to his international résumé. "Every time I step onto the pitch in Chile I feel pure joy," Brereton Diaz told reporters.
"The fans there give us an incredible amount of support – it’s something you can’t describe until you experience it yourself. The first call‑up was a whirlwind, and the love I received from the crowd was overwhelming. Scoring goals and playing regularly has only deepened that connection." He added that representing Chile has allowed him to make his family proud, bridging the gap between his life in England and his heritage in South America.
"I’m grateful I made the decision to answer the call. The experiences have been priceless and I’ve learned a lot about myself and the game.
Each time I’m selected it feels like a gift, and I hope to keep earning those opportunities," he said. Unfortunately, Chile have missed out on the last two World Cups, a disappointment Brereton Diaz acknowledges but uses as motivation.
"We didn’t qualify this time and it hurt, but it fuels our ambition. There’s a wave of young talent coming through, and we’re building a side that can return to the world stage," he explained. In the English Championship, Portsmouth have endured a difficult campaign, languishing near the bottom of the table.
Yet for 22‑year‑old Terry Devlin the season has been a personal breakthrough. The Northern Irish right‑back, who can also operate as a wing‑back, has become a regular starter and a key figure in the squad. "There have been highs and lows for the team, but on a personal level I’ve really enjoyed the experience," Devlin said. "It’s my first season playing week in, week out, and that consistency has helped me grow.
I’d love to see the club climb higher in the standings, but I’m happy to have cemented my place in the side and to finish the season strongly." He credits his progress to a disciplined routine and a professional mindset. "Consistency is everything. Day after day I do the same work I did last season – training, recovery, mental preparation. Over time that steadiness shows up in performances.
I keep learning from the senior players and tweaking parts of my game, aiming to reach the level I know I’m capable of," Devlin explained. Across the Atlantic, English midfielder Jamal Lewis made a surprising move during the 2024 summer window. After a loan spell at Watford, he briefly joined São Paulo on loan from Newcastle before the deal was cut short by injury.
"It was late in the transfer window, but the opportunity to play in Brazil was too tempting to pass up," Lewis recalled. "Brazilian football has a global reputation, and I wanted to test myself in a different environment, experience a new culture, and showcase my abilities to a fresh audience." His stint in São Paulo lasted only six matches before an international‑duty injury forced him back to England. Despite the truncated spell, Lewis says the experience left a lasting impression. "I didn’t get to explore much of Brazil beyond traveling to games.
São Paulo is massive – you can drive for an hour and still be in the same urban sprawl. The biggest regret is not speaking Portuguese; it would have helped me connect with teammates and fans more deeply.
I’d love to return someday and soak up the culture fully," 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.
"Leadership doesn’t happen overnight," Louza admitted. "If I were still in France it would be easier to communicate, but after five years in England I’ve learned to lead by example and earn the respect of my teammates." He emphasizes that his influence is more about actions on the pitch than speeches in the dressing room, though he is gradually finding his voice. "I give everything – heart, passion, runs – every time I step onto the field.
Sometimes I need to raise my voice, shout instructions, because a captain has that responsibility. I try to stay positive and push the team forward, but you can’t be nice all the time. I’m competitive and I want to win every match," Louza explained.
Finally, the Championship boasts a rare World Cup winner in its ranks: Steven Nzonzi, who still smiles when he recalls the pinnacle of his career in 2018. In the World Cup final at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium, Nzonzi entered the game in the 55th minute with France leading 2‑1 against Croatia, replacing none other than N'Golo Kanté.
"Coming on for arguably the best player of the tournament was massive pressure," Nzonzi reflected. "You have to block out everything else and focus. When I came on we were 2‑1 up, and we added a couple more goals in the next ten minutes. I felt a huge sense of relief and just tried to give my best." He remembers the moment France scored the fourth goal through Kylian Mbappé as the point when the victory felt inevitable.
"At 4‑1 I looked around at my teammates and thought, ‘This is it.’ Even when the second goal came, we knew the game was ours. That’s when the reality of being world champions sank in." The aftermath was a blur of celebrations, flag‑waving fans, and a fleeting glimpse of the Jules Rimet trophy.
"After the match we ran to meet the supporters, waved the French flag, and I saw my son for the first time with the trophy. I’m not sure if I held it before or after that moment – everything was happening so fast. The memories of the medal, the trophy in my hands, are things I’ll never forget," Nzonzi said. These stories – from Brereton Diaz’s Chilean adventure, Devlin’s rise at Portsmouth, Lewis’s Brazilian detour, Louza’s captaincy at Watford, to Nzonzi’s World Cup glory – illustrate the diverse journeys of players competing in the English Championship, each carving out a unique legacy while chasing personal and collective success.