India, March 21 -- Hamza Choudhury's arrival in Bangladesh has generated significant excitement, as the Leicester City player has received FIFA's approval to switch his international allegiance. Bangladesh is set to begin their AFC Asian Cup qualification campaign against India on Tuesday, and national team captain Jamal Bhuyan delivered a bold statement directed at Sunil Chhetri and his teammates.

During a press conference, where he was seated alongside the Premier League player, Bhuyan remarked, "It feels as though our Messi has joined us."

"Hamza is a player from the English Premier League. He is our Messi. The entire team has embraced Hamza, and he is held in high regard by everyone."

In addition, Jamal provided a candid response when asked to compare Hamza with Chhetri. "It is not fair to compare Sunil Chhetri with Hamza. Sunil has accomplished remarkable feats for India, but let’s be honest—Hamza is a Premier League player," he stated.

Sunil Chhetri recently made his return to international play after announcing his retirement last year. Initially, the decision by head coach Manolo Marquez faced criticism from some fans and former players, who believed it could impede the progress of Indian football. However, Chhetri's performance in Shillong validated Marquez's choice, as he expressed the necessity of having India's all-time leading goalscorer in his lineup. Chhetri played in the starting eleven against the Maldives in an international friendly, scoring in a 3-0 victory.

Meanwhile, Hamza expressed confidence about his debut for Bangladesh and outlined his aspirations for the team. "We are a remarkable nation. With hard work and respect for the process, we can achieve anything. There is no need to rush—we have time, Inshallah. I plan to represent Bangladesh for many years," he stated.

I come from a different league and style of play; however, players like Jamal possess significantly more international experience, which is invaluable. I am here to learn from them as well. Inshallah, we will achieve success, progressing step by step, he stated.

Bangladesh's head coach, Javier Cabrera, has also noted that Hamza's arrival facilitates his preparations for the upcoming match against India. "For me, the focus is now on getting ready and developing the mindset necessary to overcome them [India]. Our enthusiasm, the frequency of our meetings, the intensity of our training sessions, and the standards we set for ourselves are all aimed at reaching our highest potential and ensuring we believe we can make history on Indian soil," he expressed.

Hamza is currently on loan at Sheffield United from Premier League club Leicester. He is capable of playing as a defensive midfielder as well as a right-back, demonstrating his versatility. He has represented England at the under-21 level but has yet to play for the senior team.

Read Also: Djokovic Digs In: Questions PTPA Lawsuit Language and His Missing Signature

Get the latest Bollywood entertainment news, trending celebrity news, latest celebrity news, new movie reviews, latest entertainment news, latest Bollywood news, and Bollywood celebrity fashion & style updates!

HOW DID YOU LIKE THIS ARTICLE? CHOOSE YOUR EMOTICON!