It’s been a tough season for Bukayo Saka, but still, the Arsenal winger has maintained his high standards.
After Saka’s performance against Real Madrid, it’s difficult to believe that it was the forward’s first start for Arsenal in over 100 days.
In December, Arsenal lost Saka to a hamstring injury that required surgery, but fortunately, the Hale End graduate returned as if he never left.
Arsenal’s 3-0 win over Real Madrid saw the 23-year-old dominate in the Champions League, earning high praise far and wide.
Gary Neville applauds Bukayo Saka’s love for football
Even Spanish media sang Saka’s praises after the Real Madrid win, telling of just how impactful the winger was against the Champions League holders.
It was a statement night for the England international, who, aside from his quality on the pitch, showed just how much he loves to play.
Gary Neville spoke highly of Saka when discussing the Londoner on Stick to Football, shifting attention away from his ability to commend his passion.
“The beautiful thing about Saka is he has never lost his enthusiasm and his happiness and the thrill of every time he gets it,” Neville said.
“It feels like he’s playing as a kid. From the moment he came in to now, he’s not changed.”
The pundit shared his appreciation for Saka’s passion every time he wears an Arsenal or England shirt, one of many traits that make the forward such a loveable figure.
What Saka did after making his Arsenal debut
At a time when professional football seems so far from reality, Saka’s passion for the game and his boyhood club is a breath of fresh air.
Though the England international went from an academy graduate to a poster boy for club and country, nothing has changed for the man himself, as Neville noted.
Saka’s humbleness is a reminder that he’s just a 23-year-old living his dream as a professional footballer, something he’s maintained.
An example of the wide player’s modesty comes from a revelation of Per Mertesacker, who told Arsenal’s official website about what Saka did after his senior debut.
“What tells you everything about Bukayo is what he did with his shirt from that breakthrough game against Frankfurt,” Mertesacker said.
“The next day he brought it back to us at Hale End and presented it to us as a gift. A meaningful shirt in which he scored his first goal, brought back to us where it all started. It’s now on display in the entry hall for everyone to see.
“That’s him, he respects the journey that he’s been on, it means a lot to him and he doesn’t forget it.”
Saka is a special talent in world football and a player whose passion for the game stands out above everything else, a trait that is taking him to the very top.
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