Bukayo Saka has now discussed his reaction to having been nominated for a major award.
Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka has now established himself as one of the best players in the world, and has been recognised as such.
Saka was one of four male Arsenal players to be nominated for the Ballon d’Or recently, alongside Martin Odegaard, William Saliba, and Declan Rice. The North London quartet were all included on the 30-man shortlist for the prize.
The Ballon d’Or is an annual award given out to the best player in the world. Whilst Saka is almost certain not to win the award, when it is handed out at a ceremony in Paris in late October, the 23-year-old will still be delighted to have been recognised.
To be included on the shortlist is an enormous achievement in and of itself, and cements Saka’s status as a world-class player.
Bukayo Saka of Arsenal portrait before during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Brighton & Hove Albion FC at Emirates Stadium on …
Arsenal ace Bukayo Saka responds to Ballon d’Or nomination
Saka has now divulged what it means to him to have been put up for the Ballon d’Or for the second successive season.
Speaking to the official Arsenal website, the England international said: “It’s obviously a huge honour to be in the top 30 best players in the world on that list,” he said. “It’s recognition of all the hard work I’ve been putting in across the season, so it’s a really nice moment to see your name on the list.
“Since I was young, I always wanted to be a player that has an important role in the team, whether it’s scoring goals or making goals, just being the difference in the final third.
“When I came into the first team, I was starting at the back, but in the back of my mind I still wanted to be involved in the goals.
“I’ve got the license to play in my natural position on the wing and I’ve always put pressure on myself. Before other people speak about what they expect of me, I expect the highest of myself.
“I’m satisfied with what I’m doing, but I know that I haven’t achieved my goals yet so that’s what keeps me motivated.”
What Saka means to Arsenal
Saka is a talismanic figure at the Emirates Stadium, and a key figure in Mikel Arteta’s plans.
Arteta hands Saka more responsibility every season, and the fact that the winger has already racked up over 200 first team appearances for the Gunners at his young age is remarkable.
Arsenal’s recent rise and progress has coincided with Saka’s own emergence, and he is the natural face of Arteta’s project at the Emirates Stadium.
The attacker is already well on the way to becoming a club legend, and fans will be hoping that he remains at Arsenal for many more years to come.
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