For many Chilean football supporters, Ben Brereton is the player they look at to help lead the next generation.

With ageing stars Claudio Bravo, Gary Medel, Arturo Vidal and Alexis Sanchez in the latter stages of their careers, at 23, Brereton is seen as part of the next generation that can help take the national team back towards former glories.

Brereton has four goals in 17 caps but having immersed himself in the national team set-up, he is one of the leading lights in Chilean football having captured the imagination of supporters.

That will only heighten once Chile’s most experienced players moved on, and with the prospect of a big move this summer, Brereton’s reputation will only enhance.

La Roja missed out on qualification for the 2022 World Cup, something which cost Martin Lasarte his job.

Eduardo Berizzo has failed to win any of his first two matches in charge, with Chile having now failed to score in each of their last five, but will be hoping for better against Paraguay tomorrow.

Brereton is expected to feature before returning to Rovers where he will look to play his part in their promotion push.

On the pressures on his shoulders, Brereton told the Chilean media: “I'm not thinking of being the most important player of this generation, I'm here to learn and enjoy.

“We have a great team, a great coach and a great coaching staff.

“Everything is perfect, we just need to concentrate and find a good performance.

“We are all positive and we feel good. We are enthusiastic about the training sessions and the match against Paraguay.

“For me, we are 11 players on the field, it's a team game and Chile has been an incredible team for a long time. It's just a matter of continuing to work.”

While 2023 has been mixed on the pitch for Brereton, spending time out of the side through injury, suspension and a loss of form, off it, he welcomed the birth of his first child, Mason, in January.

The language barrier has become less of an issue for Brereton, but his Spanish lessons have taken more of a backseat after the birth of his son.

He added: “It's been amazing, he's two months old now and we've had a great time.

“Now that I'm training, my girlfriend has done a great job taking care of Mason. These are exciting times.

“I'm learning Spanish. It's been hard, I have lessons all week. I understand more than I can speak, but since the baby came it's been hard to follow the lessons. 

“I hope to pick them up again and learn the language.”