Bukayo Saka was born in Ealing Greater London, to Yoruba Nigerian parents, Adenike and Yomi Saka, and was the younger of two children. He attended Edward Betham Church of England Primary School before Greenford High School. He was a bright student. Before joining Arsenal, Saka played youth football for the local club Greenford Celtic. His parents migrated to London from Nigeria as economic migrants. In an interview, Saka stated the importance of his father, Yomi, in his football career: "He has been a massive inspiration for me. From when I was young, he always kept me grounded, kept me humble." 

At just over 21 years of age, the winger is the second youngest member of England’s World Cup squad, but with 20 caps already to his name, he has quickly become one of Gareth Southgate’s main men.

Bukayo's very first taste of international football came as he was making a name for himself at our Hale End Academy. He represented the Three Lions at the youth level while still a schoolboy, and moved through the age groups steadily – all the way to the under-21s. 

But less than a month after making his debut at that level, he was ready to step up to the senior side. And so, just over two years ago, he made his full England debut in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Wales at Wembley.

There’s no doubt his form demanded it at the time. Bukayo, then just 19, had made a flying start to the season, playing in the Community Shield win over Liverpool at the end of August, before scoring only the second Premier League goal of his career just a few days before that England fixture, at home to Sheffield United.

He was one of four debutants in the England team on October 8, 2020 (along with Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Harvey Barnes, and Reece James), starting the game as a left wing-back. England cruised to a 3-0 win Bukayo was replaced late on by Arsenal team-mate Ainsley Maitland-Niles after looking impressive in the second half especially.

"Putting the shirt on was a very special moment,” a clearly proud Bukayo said after the final whistle. "When I put it on before the game I was really happy and I remembered all the times I wore it for the youth teams. But this one was different and so special for me to play at Wembley.

"There were no fans there but with all those high-quality players on the team, it was a special moment for me."

But in June 2021, despite only having four caps to his name, Bukayo was the sole Arsenal representative named in the 26-man England squad for the COVID-delayed 2020 European Championships.

He celebrated his call-up by netting his first England goal, in a 1-0 friendly win over Austria at the Riverside Stadium. In a game in which Ben White made his international debut (before making his move to Arsenal), Saka finished a well-worked team moves 10 minutes into the second half for the only goal of the game.

"This is a moment I dreamt of as a kid," a beaming Bukayo said afterward. "To score my first goal for my country, I have come close to it in previous games, but I am happy to get the first one and it is an amazing feeling that I hope I can feel many more times."

He started a World Cup qualifier for the first time ever on his 20th birthday, marking the occasion with a goal and man-of-the-match performance at home to Andorra. He started three of England's qualifiers in late 2021 and scored in each of them. He netted home and away against Andorra, then claimed the tenth in a thumping win over San Marino, a 10-0 victory in which Arsenal teammates Aaron Ramsdale and Emile Smith Rowe also featured. Just a few days before that game, he was named England Player of the Year for 2021/22 – the first Arsenal man to ever win the award since it was launched in 2003. "I did not expect it, I am honored," Bukayo said when he was presented with the award. "I cannot put into words how happy I am, it is nice to be awarded the trophy."

Last summer he was in Nations League action, playing against Germany, Hungary, and Italy (twice), and then won his 20th cap in September, coming on in the second half of England's 3-3 home draw with Germany.

Saka's performance in the Qatar World Cup was also outstanding. He scored three goals in four appearances for England including a sensational show against France. The 21-year-old striker received huge applause when England coach Gary Southgate withdrew him in the 79th minute.