Not many football players will be like Christian Burgess. The English defender has a first-class honours degree in history and is making history on the pitch for Belgian champions Union Saint-Gilloise.

He’s captaining the side as they make their Champions League debut this season and Burgess tells World Football’s Mani Djazmi about his path from university to now Champions League football.

He shares his disbelief at making his debut in Europe’s premier club competition just a month before his 34th birthday.

Burgess shares his own personal view of the situation facing refugees trying to cross the English channel. There are many other opinions and we aim to reflect them all on the BBC World Service and across the BBC.

Image: Christian Burgess of Union Saint-Gilloise celebrates after the team's victory during the UEFA Europa League 2023/24 match between R. Union Saint-Gilloise and Liverpool FC at Stade Joseph Marien on December 14, 2023 in Brussels, Belgium. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)