Miguel Britos could hardly imagine playing professional football let alone featuring at Wembley in an FA Cup semi-final when he was working in a hotel back in Uruguay little more than ten years ago.

This is the situation the Watford defender found himself in after being forced to take a room service job at a hotel and casino in his homeland to make ends meet. 

Britos could not afford to play for Deportivo Maldonado following their relegation and thought his chances of playing football were gone for good. 

The 30-year-old said: “I worked in a big hotel and casino doing room service. It was good work. When I was working I thought it was finished and over [football career] because I took my decision."

But his determination to forge a career in the sport secured a chance at Centro Atlético Fenix in the Uruguayan capital Montevideo.

This breakthrough earned him the chance to move to Europe where he spent six years in Italy playing for Bologna and then Napoli before joining Watford last summer. 

Britos believes having to work so hard to make a living has helped him appreciate the position he is now in.

He said: “Maybe it’s different between South American players and European players. I think it’s better when you don’t get money when you’re young because your mind is harder than the other one.

"When you get money, you know how difficult it was when you weren’t getting money. You’re still the same person and think always the same way."

Watford Observer:

The South American's rags to riches story could yet add a remarkable chapter with Britos hoping to help the Hornets reach the FA Cup Final.

Ahead of today's semi-final against Crrystal Palace, Britos said: “It’s my first game at Wembley. I’ve never been there. I’m so happy because we are in the semi-final and some of my team-mates have told me it’s an amazing stadium and atmosphere. I think it’s going to be an amazing game.

“It’s a great opportunity to win the FA Cup and play in the Europa League. It’s a big opportunity for us."

The defender has the reputation of being a fiery opponent on the pitch after being sent off in his final game for Napoli and first match for Watford.

But softly spoken Britos insists those were mistakes and says he has to adopt a more aggressive style due to the physical nature of English football.

“In normal life I’m like this but on the pitch I’m a little bit different," he said.

"I’m not a beast but you have be aggressive especially here.

"You have to fight because the Premier League is physical football and if you are relaxed and a good boy on the pitch they will kill you."

Britos continued: “I try not to do the kind of mistake at Napoli and the first game here but I try to be aggressive and play hard.

"Here in England the referees permit a lot of contact so they can push you and carry on. You have to be strong and aggressive."