Premier League Brasil has named Bukayo Saka the 2022-23 Young Player of the Season. The Englishman, born to Nigerian parents, was a key part of Arsenal’s run that saw them break the record for the longest time spent in first place in a single Premier League season.
Arsenal would end up finishing in second place behind Manchester City at the end of the season, but Saka would end up with numbers that the fans applauded him for.
Jogou demais e merece muito! Mas não foi meu voto… 👀https://t.co/RhYoll99fz
— Lucas Barbosa (@lucassbarbosa_) May 30, 2023
The Hale End Academy graduate finished with 25 goal contributions in the league.
Saka Beats Haaland, Martinelli to Award
Premier League Brasil provides coverage for Brazilian fans of the world’s most popular league. It is one of many that provide this coverage but it has a dedicated following among the league fans in the country, so much so that they can host these awards yearly.
The voting is done by journalists from various publications. The said journalists are experts who have been featured in several top football publications and broadcast media, offline and online, giving them credibility to be able to share informed opinions on certain football topics.
While the Premier League selected Manchester City dynamite attacker Erling Haaland as their Young Player of the Year (as well as Player of the Year), combined votes from Brazilian journalists and fans of the league chose to go with the England Three Lions international, whose roots can be traced to the Yoruba tribe in Nigeria.
Saka beat Haaland, his fellow Arsenal teammates Martin Ødegaard and Gabriel Martinelli, as well as Moises Caicedo of Brighton and Hove Albion to the award by Premier League Brasil.
Saka was also a contender for the Premier League’s award and could also win the FWA award which will be announced in June.
A big thank you to our fans for all the support you've given us this year. It hurts how it ended, but your support never dropped. We know the levels we can reach and we are more determined than ever to achieve our goals alongside you all. Thank you again Gunners and see you soon… pic.twitter.com/HQ340Aa5gi
— Bukayo Saka (@BukayoSaka87) May 30, 2023
How Super Eagles Missed Out on Saka
Bukayo Saka has been a revelation in English football since his breakout year in the 2018/19 season. The forward was born to Nigerian parents in London, England and grew up in the intersection of two different cultures.
As he rose through the ranks at Arsenal's famed Hale End academy, he was also involved in the England Three Lions youth setups. These factors made the decision to choose England ahead of Nigeria a little easier for Saka, who once stated that he “feels more Nigerian than English”.
He also stated the successes that the England national team had enjoyed under Gareth Southgate as his reasons for choosing the Three Lions over the Nigeria national football team in 2020 when he declared his international allegiance.
Saka, however, has continued to showcase his Nigerian roots and pay homage to his culture. He also follows the Nigeria Super Eagles often and has sent messages of goodwill to the team on a number of occasions.
Bukayo Saka is the first Arsenal player in the competition's history to feature in every single Premier League game in back-to-back seasons.
Incredible availability. ✨ pic.twitter.com/ryG1AzGxTu
— Squawka (@Squawka) May 28, 2023
Saka also is involved in charity work targeting children with urgent medical needs in Nigeria. He partners with the Big Shoe organisation for these efforts and recently paid for 120 children from Kano state to get surgeries for their various ailments.
Goalball Live congratulates Saka for his recognition by Brazilian journalists.
This article was most recently revised and updated 1 year ago
