- Bukayo Saka is a highly skilled English professional footballer who plays at least 3 different positions for his club and national team
- He joined Arsenal’s Hale End academy at the age of 7 and has spent his entire senior career with the club, winning the FA Cup, FA Community Shield, and others
- Following the leap of the England head coach ahead of Qatar 2022, Saka, who is of Nigerian descent will likely be representing England in the world football tournament
Bukayo Saka is a 24-year-old English professional footballer who plays for the Three Lions of England. He was given a professional contract by Arsenal when he turned 17 and has so far made several impressive appearances for his club and his country’s national team.
Though born in England, Saka is of Nigerian descent and has always attributed his success to his father who became a great inspiration and pillar to him throughout his formative years.
The football pro became the first player born in the 21st century to play in a Premier League match and his impressive records are already earning him a spot with England national football team for the 2022 world cup scheduled to hold in Qatar.
Early Life and Career Background of Bukayo Saka
Bukayo was born on 5 September 2001 in Ealing England to his parents Yomi and Adenike Saka who migrated to London from Nigeria for economic reasons some years back. He has a brother named Abayomi who also had dreams of becoming a football pro someday.
His name Bukayo means ‘adds to happiness’ and it originates from the Yoruba language which is widely spoken in the southern part of Nigeria.
Concerning his education, Bukayo has been reported to be a straight-A student. He attended Edward Betham Church of England Primary School and later Greenford High School where he obtained his general certificate of secondary education (GCSE).
He Started Playing Football as a Kid
Bukayo has said he started playing football very early in life and has received the support and encouragement of his father who has been a massive inspiration for him.
He initially played for the youth teams; Greenford Celtic and Watford before joining Arsenal’s Hale End academy at the age of 7 as stated earlier. He remained in the club’s youth team till he was offered a professional contract by the same and promoted to the under-23 side when he turned 17. As of the year 2020, Bukayo is still playing for the Premier League club; Arsenal as a winger, left-back, and or midfielder.
More so, has also represented England at different levels such as England U16, England U19, and England U 18. He was first called up to the England senior team on 1 October 2020 and made his debut in a friendly against wales later the same year that ended in a 3-0 victory over Wales.
Will He be Playing in the 2022 World Cup?
The England 2022 World Cup Squad is to be officially named in October. However, English coach Gareth Southgate has made a leap that may determine the players that will play at the competition when he named his squad for September’s internationals.
Fortunately for him, Bukayo Saka happened to be among the 26-man squad that was named by Southgate. He is also predicted by several analysts and sources to join the flight of the players who will be working hard to ensure England lifts the world cup again having defeated West Germany 4-2 in 1996.
SEE ALSO: Who Is René Higuita – What Is His 1990 World Cup Blunder? How Is He Using It To Fight Coronavirus?
Interesting Details About Bukayo Saka You Should Know
1. He Would be Acting or Playing Basketball if He was not a Footballer
Saka has said that he would have been a basketball player or an actor if he were not playing football. According to him, he used to admire Will Smith a lot while growing up and he was his favorite actor.
He has also said that he enjoyed a good number of T.V shows while growing up but his favorite was The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
2. Thierry Henry is Saka’s Favorite Footballer of all Time
The English-born has confessed that Thierry Henry is his favorite footballer. Apart from Henry who is considered one of the greatest strikers of all time, Saka also said Alexis Sanchez Freddie Ljungberg, and David Luiz has greatly impacted his professional career.
3. Bukayo Saka has an Impressive Career Record
Within a very short while, Bukayo, 24 was able to write his name on gold at different levels. Below is a quick list of some of his achievements.
Individual
- Arsenal Player of the Season: 2020-2021, 2021-2022
- IFFHS Men’s Youth(U20) World team: 2021
Arsenal
- FA Cup: 2019-2020
- FA Community Shield: 2020
- UEFA Europa League runner-up: 2018-2019
England
- UEFA European Championship runner-up: 2020
4. He faced Racist Abuse for Missing His First Penalty Kick at Senior Level
Saka has faced racist abuse online after missing his team’s 5th penalty in the UEFA Euro 2020 Final against Italy. His effort which was saved by goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma made Italy win the shoot-out and the tournament.
Responding, Saka said through an Instagram post on July 15 2022 that he already knew the kind of hate that he will receive after his penalty was saved. He also said it is a sad reality that powerful platforms are not doing enough to these kinds of messages.
5. The English Player is Praised for His Decency
Saka is one of the new generations of English footballers who is praised for his decency and ethics. Despite being a straight-A student and a multitalented player, he has chosen to remain humble on and out of the pitch.
Similarly, several articles have been written about his character and faith. He recently said that he always points to heaven in thanksgiving to God whenever he is reckoned a success.
Saka who considered himself a very religious man has also said he prays before every game and asks God to help him play well. More so, most of his tweets and Instagram posts are usually in praise and thanksgiving to God who he believes made him the success that he is today.
Furthermore, the head teacher of his alma mater (Edward Bentham Church Primary Schol), Caroline Chamberline had previously said Saka was a polite, modest, and impressive young man who was conscientious at school and has not been changed by fame. She said that pupils at the school were inspired by his character and feat.
While Bukayo Saka’s growth remains rapid and stunning, he continues to shield himself in humility and more hard work. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has referred to him as the dream player of every coach. Given his impressive track record within a short time, many people believe Gareth Southgate will be doing the English national team a great disservice if he skips Saka in the list of the country’s squad for the 2022 world cup.
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