Bukayo Saka is a professional footballer who currently plays as a winger or left-back for Arsenal Football Club in the English Premier League and the England national team.
He was born on September 5, 2001, in London, England, and joined Arsenal’s youth academy at the age of seven.
Saka made his first-team debut for Arsenal in a Europa League match against Vorskla Poltava in November 2018.
He quickly established himself as a key player for the club, impressing with his pace, dribbling ability and versatility.
In the 2020-21 season, Saka played a crucial role in Arsenal’s FA Cup triumph and was named the club’s Player of the Season.
Saka’s performances at club level earned him a call-up to the England national team in 2020.
He made his debut in a UEFA Nations League match against Wales in October 2020 and has since become a regular member of the squad.
Saka was part of the England team that reached the final of the UEFA Euro 2020 tournament, where they lost to Italy on penalties.
Off the pitch, Saka is known for his humble and hardworking personality.
He has been praised for his charitable work, including donating money to a local food bank during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Bukayo Saka early life
From a young age, Saka showed a keen interest in football and began playing for local teams.
He joined Arsenal’s academy at the age of seven and quickly progressed through the ranks, impressing coaches with his skill, speed and work ethic.
Despite his early success on the pitch, Saka remained focused on his education and continued to excel in school.
He credits his parents for instilling in him the importance of education and balancing his passion for football with his studies.
Saka’s upbringing was also shaped by his Nigerian heritage, and he has spoken publicly about the influence of his parents and culture on his life.
He is proud of his Nigerian roots and has expressed a desire to represent the Nigerian national team in the future.
Who is Bukayo Saka’s girlfriend?
Saka is dating Tolami Benson who js is known for supporting him both on and off the pitch.
She is Nigerian and often seen supporting Saka in the stadium during matches.
Bukayo Saka career
Saka made his first-team debut for Arsenal in a Europa League match against Vorskla Poltava in November 2018, at the age of 17.
He made an immediate impact, providing two assists in a 3-0 win.
He continued to impress in the Europa League, scoring his first senior goal in a 1-0 win over Qarabag in December 2018.
Saka’s performances in the Europa League earned him a call-up to the Premier League squad, and he made his league debut in a 4-1 win over Fulham in January 2019.
He continued to make sporadic appearances for the first team throughout the 2018-19 season, but it was the following season that he really established himself as a key player for Arsenal.
In the 2019-20 season, Saka made 38 appearances in all competitions, scoring four goals and providing 11 assists.
He played in a variety of positions, including left-back, left-wing, and right-wing, showcasing his versatility and adaptability.
His performances earned him the Arsenal Player of the Month award for February 2020.
Saka’s impressive performances for Arsenal did not go unnoticed, and he was called up to the England national team for the first time in October 2020.
He made his debut in a 3-0 win over Wales, providing an assist for Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s goal.
Saka continued to impress for Arsenal and England throughout the 2020-21 season, playing a key role in Arsenal’s run to the Europa League semi-finals and earning a place in England’s squad for Euro 2020.
He played in all of England’s group stage matches, providing an assist in a 1-0 win over the Czech Republic.
Racism attacks
Saka was subjected to racist abuse after he missed the decisive penalty in the Euro 2020 final shootout defeat to Italy.
The abuse was sent to him on social media platforms, including Instagram, and included racist emojis and messages.
Saka was not the only player to receive such abuse, as Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho, two other black England players, were also targeted.
The abuse was widely condemned by the football community, including England manager Gareth Southgate and Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
The Arsenal football club, where Saka plays, also strongly condemned the abuse.
The abuse was not limited to England, as it was reported that some of it came from abroad.
However, the incident sparked a conversation about the need for social media platforms to take action against online abuse and racism.
Saka himself urged Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to introduce measures to prevent anyone else from experiencing the same abuse.
He also vowed that the experience would not ‘break him’ and called for people to come together to call out the people sending these messages.
The incident highlights the ongoing problem of racism in football and society at large.
It also underscores the need for action to be taken to combat online abuse and hate speech.
Racism in football
Racism in the English Premier League (EPL) is a significant issue that has been widely covered by the media and academic studies.
The problem of racism in football is not limited to the EPL, but it is a worldwide phenomenon that requires a worldwide response.
The following are some of the initiatives taken by the EPL and its clubs to tackle racism on and off the pitch;
This is a campaign launched by the Premier League and its clubs to fight against discrimination on and off the pitch, promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion across all areas of football.
This is a symbol of pride that recognizes the reality of racism and demands change.
It is a way of showing support for the fight against racism.
Disciplinary Action
The EPL and its clubs have taken disciplinary action against players, officials, and fans who have been found guilty of racist behavior.
Despite these initiatives, racism continues to blight English football, and racist abuse is still prevalent in the EPL.
The rising tide of support for the far right and scaremongering by mainstream politicians on immigration exacerbates the problem.
However, awareness of the problems associated with racism and the exclusion of ethnic minorities has increased tremendously over the last decade.
The fight against racism begins with being informed, and it is essential to understand how racism manifests itself, what its effects are, and how it can be countered.
Therefore, it is crucial to continue to raise public awareness of the problem of racism and racial discrimination and to create a united front in dealing with this malign issue.
