 "Bangladesh captain's bold remark when asked to compare Sunil Chhetri to Hamza Choudhury: 'Let's be honest...'")
Ahead of Bangladesh’s crucial 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifier match against India, national team captain Jamal Bhuyan made a bold statement when asked to compare the legendary Sunil Chhetri with Premier League midfielder Hamza Choudhury . Bhuyan, speaking at a press conference alongside the Leicester City star, delivered a blunt response that is bound to spark debate among football fans, especially in India.
Hamza Choudhury’s arrival in the Bangladesh national team has been nothing short of sensational. Having recently received FIFA clearance to switch allegiance from England to Bangladesh, the Premier League midfielder has been welcomed as a game-changer for the side. He has been included in the squad for Bangladesh’s 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification third round match against India on 25 March.
Expressing his excitement over Hamza’s inclusion in the Bangladesh team, skipper Jamal Bhuyan didn’t hold back in his praise: “It is like our Messi has come to us.”
Bhuyan emphasised the impact of having a player of Choudhury’s caliber in the squad, saying, “Hamza is an English Premier League player. He is our Messi. Everyone in our team welcomed Hamza. Everyone has respect for him.”
Bhuyan’s bold take on Chhetri vs Hamza
When asked to compare Hamza Choudhury with India’s football icon Sunil Chhetri, Bhuyan delivered a bold response: “You can’t compare Sunil Chhetri to Hamza. Sunil has done great things for India, but let’s be honest, Hamza is a Premier League player."
The statement underscores the difference in their playing backgrounds, with Bhuyan suggesting that Hamza’s experience in one of the world’s toughest leagues sets him apart. However, Chhetri’s status as India’s all-time top scorer and his impact on the national team remain undisputed.
Chhetri’s return to the Indian team
Sunil Chhetri, who recently reversed his international retirement, made an emphatic return to the Indian national team. Despite concerns from some fans and former players about whether his comeback would hinder the development of younger talents, Chhetri proved his worth once again.
In India’s 3-0 victory over the Maldives in an international friendly on Wednesday, Chhetri found the net, justifying head coach Manolo Marquez’s decision to recall him. Marquez had previously stated that India’s best-ever goalscorer remains an essential part of his squad, and Chhetri’s performance in Shillong backed up that claim.
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