Bukayo Saka during an England press conference. (Image: Getty Images)
Bukayo Saka has bravely spoken out about the intense toll on both body and mind when contending with his first significant injury. The 23-year-old Arsenal star was sidelined for a challenging three months of the previous campaign after requiring hamstring surgery on Christmas Eve.
The talented England winger has confessed to moments of uncertainty over his future prowess on the pitch post-recovery. Delving into the ordeal, Saka shared: "The first two days were the toughest - that realisation that I've got what I've got and I need an operation. You start to think... am I going to be the same? Players have come back from this injury and weren't the same."
However, resilience quickly set in, and following successful surgery, Saka's outlook pivoted towards optimism. "But after two days, the surgery was done and successful and you just look forward. I was really positive and put in all the work I needed with my diet, in the gym, on the pitch," he said.
"I feel I've come back in a good place. It is about how much you want it - and I wanted it a lot. I knew the games I was coming back to and wanted to be in the best shape possible which is why I did everything.
"It was horrible. Normally, you get more time to make a decision. But it was going to be Christmas, the surgeons want to be with their families, so I decided on the spot that we were doing the surgery. It was about deciding whether I was going to be there on Christmas Day and, obviously, that was the last thing I wanted.
"So I had to do it at 5am on Christmas Eve. Credit to the surgeon - he got up early to do it. I was out of the hospital at about 3 or 4pm and home. Christmas Day, I went to my cousin's house but I was in a big brace and had crutches."
Bukayo Saka in England training. (Image: Getty)
To assist with the gruelling rehab process Saka delved into motivational literature, revealing: "One of the books I was given was called 'The Power of Now'. It's about not thinking about the past, not thinking about the future - just being in the moment and always asking yourself what's necessary right now.
"Sometimes I can think ... 'am I going to come back in the best shape?' Or ... 'what could I have done to prevent injury?' But all that is not necessary. It's only going to bring bad energy, negativity to your body. One of the best things I took from the book is to always ask yourself what's necessary in this moment and try to live that way.
"There was no time to ease in, it was straight into big games. I had to do my best, the team did their best and we fell short. It is what it is now but there is no point looking back now, we look forward and know what we have to do next year."
Trending
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
Saka is eager to earn his 44th England cap in the upcoming friendly match against Senegal at the City Ground.
It marks his debut under Thomas Tuchel, and Saka has expressed admiration for the new manager, noting: "Since I've come into the camp, he's been quite demanding, quite intense on the pitch.
"Off the pitch, he's more relaxed, a nice guy. He lets us enjoy ourselves and has created a nice environment."
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Arsenal hold meeting with Viktor Gyokeres' agent Liverpool Now "They only brag about their UCLs" lol Joshua couldn't keep up the pressure Senegoal? ThisPlease stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, FootballLaughss, NoContextChe1, originaltrollfootball, PL__OOC)...
The former Borussia Dortmund winger is back at Manchester United after Chelsea rejected the chance to make his move permanent.Chelsea have turned down the chance to sign Jadon SanchoManager Ruben Amorim has no plans to integrate Sancho back into his first team - meaning the 25-year-old is searching for a fresh start.And SunSport understands Aston Villa, Tottenham and Newcastle are all monitoring d...
Marseille have reached an agreement in principle to sign England midfielder Angel Gomes, the Ligue 1 club announced Wednesday.Gomes had previously revealed that he would leave Lille when his contract expires this summer.The 24 year-old impressed when earning his first England caps under interim head coach Lee Carsley last year but has yet to feature under current boss Thomas Tuchel.Angel Gomes' pe...
The Premier League champs intend to spend big on another attacker even after they complete a British-transfer record £127million deal for Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz.Bradley Barcola has emerged as a shock target for LiverpoolLiverpool still have hope of signing Alexander IsakFlorian Wirtz is set to move to Anfield in a record £127m dealAnd they are prepared to battle Bayern Munich f...
Marseille land GomesMarseille have completed the signing of England international Angel Gomes on a free transfer.The midfielder is leaving Lille at the end of his contract but has turned down reported Premier League interest to remain in Ligue 1.Newcastle and Chelsea battle for TraffordNewcastle fear Chelsea could hijack their move for Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford, report The Telegraph.The En...
Joao Felix and Sterling left out of Chelsea CWC squadChelsea have included several new signings in their Club World Cup squad, leaving out Raheem Sterling and Joao Felix.New signings Mike Penders, Mamadou Sarr, Dario Essugo, and Liam Delap were included in Enzo Maresca’s squad for the United States.Among those left out are Sterling and Felix, both of whom spent time away from Stamford Bridge...
Quentin Merlin and Portugal's defender Rodrigo Pinheiro vie for the ballGroup C heavy-hitters Portugal and France played out a tense 0-0 draw on matchday one of the 2025 UEFA European U21 Championships, as Rui Jorge’s side avoided a third successive defeat with an assured display in Trencin.In a first meeting between the two heavyweight nations since 2011, it was Portugal who edged a cagey o...
Arsenal star Saka admits fears over hamstring injury recoveryArsenal star Bukayo Saka admits he doubted his fitness after suffering a hamstring injury earlier this season.The 23-year-old came off the bench in England’s 3-1 loss to Senegal and has now opened up about the self-doubts he faced in regaining form, having been a key figure for both club and country.0"It’s about not thinking ...
Premier League clubs increased their spending in the January window to £370 million -- up on the £100m paid out last year -- though Manchester City are chiefly responsible after splashing out £180m of that on their own. We were nowhere near the 2023 record of £815m, but will the summer see a rise in expensive moves?This year, for the first time, the transfer window has been spl...
The 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup kicks off a year today when joint-hosts Mexico get the tournament underway in Mexico City's Azteca Stadium on June 11, 2026.It will be the biggest World Cup, with the format expanding from 32 nations at Qatar 2022 to 48 teams in USA, Mexico and Canada. The result is 104 games across 16 cities in three nations before the new world champion is crowned at New Jersey's Me...
- 1 Bryan Mbeumo 'picks between Man Utd and Tottenham' as transfer agreement struck
- 2 England player ratings vs Andorra: Cole Palmer disappoints as Kane bails out Tuchel
- 3 Bayer Leverkusen interested in shock move for Jack Grealish
- 4 Portugal vs France Prediction 12 June 2025
- 5 Brazil vs Paraguay Prediction 11 June 2025
- 6 Daily Laugh - Morata : Me again?
- 7 Harvey Elliott opens door to Liverpool exit
- 8 Tottenham players fuming! Spurs facing player revolt as stars left furious by decision to brutally sack Ange Postecoglou after Europa League win
- 9 Transfer news: Jadon Sancho announces move as Liverpool confirm deal
- 10 'We are responsible for the results' - England boss Thomas Tuchel gives verdict on Tottenham's decision to sack Ange Postecoglou despite Europa League glory