After qualifying for Euro 2024 with Hungary this week, Callum Styles sat down to speak with Barnsley FC about his recent international success.
The Magyars sealed their place at next summer's continental showpiece in Germany with a dramatic point against Bulgaria - played behind closed doors in Sofia on Thursday night.
The Hungarians went into the two fixtures knowing it was only a point needed to finish the deal, but faced a fiery affair at the Vasil Levski Stadium in their opening challenge. Each side saw a man dimissed and the hosts looked to be earning their first victory in Group G, before last-minute pandemonium ensued.
"We scored with the last kick of the game," smiled Styles. "I don't think you can do it any other way that is much better. It was just a world of emotion. It was just like, wow, we have achieved greatness here. It's just the start.
"It was a mad game. I think we made it difficult for ourselves. We battered them, but for whatever reason, it was just one of those games. Maybe a bit of nerves."
Relief then, poured from the team and duly celebrations followed in the empty bowl of the stadium, Marco Rossi's side bringing the atmosphere to the occasion after realising their achievements.
"Wow, we have achieved greatness here."
With qualification secured with one game to play, Hungary faced Montenegro in the capital - Budapest - for a homecoming party in front of 67,000 adorning home fans. Liverpool starlet Dominik Szoboszlai scored a second-half brace before Ádám Nagy sent the crowd into party mode with a stoppage time goal.
"From the changing room, all the way through the night, we was just celebrating until the early morning," laughed the 23-year-old. When people do team nights out, it gets the team together. It helps me massively when we go out and do stuff. Everyone is in good spirits, everybody's talking to each other, drinking together. It was just an unbelievable night.
"My mum and dad flew out to have the weekend in Budapest and watch the game. My girlfriend flew out and three of my mates. After the game on Sunday we had a drink in the stadium with all the players and families."
The Magyars qualified top of the group, facing Serbia, Montenegro, Lithuania and Bulgaria home and away throughout the course of the campaign.
Hungary's squad is one littered with experience and emerging talent, a healthy experiment forming under the guidance of Head Coach, Rossi.
"There are loads of good players, we've got an unbelievable squad," praised the midfielder. "Dominik is a standout player. He's world class. All you can do is just take tips from what they do day to day, what differences they do to make it better. They're role models to be honest. As a player you have to put yourselves amongst them because you're in the same team. We're achieving greatness together. The togetherness in our team between staff and players is unique."
The reward for the last 18 months of hard work is a place at the European Championships in Germany, taking place in the summer between 14 June - 14 July 2024.
Styles has never experienced a footballing major tournament in Hungary, but is well aware of the passion displayed by home supporters and the way in which it sweeps through the nation, captivating all audiences.
"The last Euros, England got quite far didn't they? I just remember going to a bar in Manchester and it was absolutely rammed. The atmosphere was just incredible. When the nations get behind their teams, the atmosphere is just incredible. The fans in Hungary are just unbelievable. I can imagine they'll come out in their numbers in Germany and it will just be an absolute occasion."
Coming through the ranks at Bury and signing for the Reds back in 2018, 'Stylesy' could never imagine he'd potentially be part of a squad that will lineup at a major tournament in front of millions.
It's probably the dream of every small child with a passion for football, to hear the national anthem sang before taking to the pitch, the hopes and dreams of a nation on your shoulders. Styles, was no different.
"When I was sorting everything out to play for Hungary, it was more of a case of being buzzing to make my debut. It's a massive achievement. It's weird, because time goes so quick. You don't really get time to let it sink in. To think back now, one and a half years ago I made my debut. I was buzzing to make my debut, we did really well in the Nations League and we've qualified for the Euros. It's honestly mental.
"I did dream of it, but I never thought it would come to fruition. But I'm so glad it has."
The excitement of playing in Germany next summer is now on the backburner, however, as attention turns to the domestic campaign with the Reds.
We travel to Lincoln City on Saturday in Sky Bet League One, looking to mount a response and buoyed by new additions to the squad as players return from injury.
"We can all bring back things to the club and add that to our team. Playing international level, you experience so much and that can only add to our team. We need to bounce back from Derby. That's important, and I feel like we will. We've got a very good squad and we're going to go there and hopefully get the three points. It's our goal, and I don't think we should be seen with nothing less. Three points is the minimum."
