The Redemption of Bukayo Saka

In football, as in life, there are moments that mark a footballer’s career. Both in a good way and in a bad way. The latter is often the hardest to forget and can end a player’s career. It undermines your confidence, can’t handle criticism and never regains your best version.

This is not the case of Bukayo Sakathat on Saturday in front of Switzerland achieved his redemption in England. The display of personality, in a match that once again choked the ‘pros’, speaks volumes about the Arsenal star’s mentality. Just three years ago, in the final of Euro 2020came off the bench as Southgate’s bet for the penalty shootout against Italy and missed his shot, too Marcus Rashford. The next few days were absolute hell. Then He received a serious insult that violated the sport. They confused his skin color and origins in one of the most serious and regrettable episodes ever remembered in British sport.

Anyone would have understood that somehow it would affect Then, but Bukayo proved above criticism. He taught a winning, competitive mentality and, most of all, most people did not respect him. “He showed character. After the European Championship he came back to Arsenal and became their penalty taker. It shows the mentality we have in the team”highlighted Pickford after the duel against Switzerland. You’re right. And it’s surprising to think that he is currently only 22 years old and already one of the best players on the planet. He was only 19 when countless people treated him unfairly. Fortunately for football and for Arsenal, he was not taken and is now one of the stars of the Premier League and an undisputed player for Southgate.

Switzerland is not a simple rival, as can be seen, but Then He showed that he was dying for the shirt. More than anything that ever bothered him. Finished MVP of the quarterfinals in a game where he played as a winger, a position that was unusual for him in years, and he was not only the most dangerous player in the game, but he scored a great goal. The tension was palpable at the Espirit-Arena in the shootout, when Saka, as the greats do, took the ball to score England’s third without fear of retaliation. Undoubtedly, steadfastly, he deceived summer and he nailed it to a stick. The English stand erupted, knowing what the moment meant, closing a disastrous chapter for Bukayo.

“He performed very well throughout the game! Also in a position where he played years ago, but he’s not used to it anymore. He created problems for them throughout the game, he scored a really good goal. .. But even without the ball, he worked, made tackles and assisted for 120 minutes”praise to him right. The captain didn’t want to stop there, but added “I know the mentality you have to have in a situation like this. What happened in the past… We prepare a lot for moments like this, he pulled it off perfectly. It was a good night for him and he deserved it.”.

A victory that, without a doubt, will enter the Hall of Fame of memories Then, who finds redemption in a massive and well-deserved display of personality. And England, now and in the future, will need a lot from him.