It is clear, from spending a few moments in his company, that his background was a long, long way from his current position of wealth and fame.

Now Wigan’s defensive midfielder will represent Honduras in their first World Cup for 28 years in South Africa next month with group games against Chile, Switzerland and European champions Spain.

Thomas, with mature features that belie his 25 years, has arrived on the world stage following eight years at local club Olimpia, where he made his debut as a 16-year-old. He did not offer detail, but his childhood was clearly tough.

“We had a certain level of poverty but we always had food and never starved,” said Thomas in Spanish, via an interpreter at the training ground of his English team Wigan, while sitting next to his club and Honduras team mate Maynor Figueroa.

“I didn’t play football as a way out (of the poverty). I played football first and foremost because I loved the game and enjoyed the opportunity to play as a kid…Continue Sports article here.