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. On this Day Football Klopp is currently Red Bull's Head of Global Football,And He advises RB Leipzig Man Utd are prepared to let Hojlund go for £30m 367 out of 368 players who played in EURO 2004 have retired.Only ONE is still playing, and his name is Cristiano Ronaldo.RESPECT! Just a REMINDER that the RELEASE of GTA VI, Champions League FINAL, and st...
[(FC Rubin Kazan) Strength]: 1. FC Rubin Kazan have had a decent start to the new season, remaining unbeaten after two league matches and one Russian Cup game, achieving a record of two wins and one draw.2. FC Rubin Kazan have shown a stable offensive performance at the start of the new season, scoring two goals in each of their last three matches.3. FC Rubin Kazan have performed steadily at home....
[(Hearts) Strength]: 1. Hearts are motivated to start with a win in this home game.2. Hearts won 3-0 over Sunderland A.F.C. in the last warm-up game. They also kept all wins in the previous 4 Cup games, showing decent form.3. Hearts won the last 5 home games, revealing high scoring efficiency and outstanding home performances.4. Hearts scored 19 goals and conceded one in the last 5 games, boasting...
[(Ilves Tampere) Strength]: 1. Ilves Tampere's Roope Riski just performed impressively in the first leg against AZ Alkmaar in European football. He is the main scoring point of the team.2. Ilves Tampere remained unbeaten in the last 4 home games, showing certain home strength.3. Ilves Tampere are ranked 2nd with outstanding offense.4. The AH line is -1.5 for Ilves Tampere, showing their superior s...
[(IFK Goteborg) Strength]: 1. IFK Goteborg scored 3 goals from open play in the last league game, with each goal scored by a different player, showcasing their multiple scorers on offense.[(IFK Goteborg) Neutral]: 1. IFK Goteborg had BTTS in 3 of the previous 4 games, showing a high likelihood of goals from both ends lately.2. IFK Goteborg got 2 wins and 2 losses in the previous 4 home games, reve...
Lewandowski told to quit Barcelona for Saudi moveFormer Poland goalkeeper Jan Tomaszewski believes that despite Robert Lewandowski's success at Barcelona, things are not all that rosy for him at the Catalan outfit. The Polish legend added that the 36-year-old should head to the Middle East as he is not being properly utilised by his Blaugrana team-mates.Tomaszewski told Mundo Deportivo: "Robert sh...
Ex-Barcelona president: Rashford better than Nico WilliamsFormer Barcelona president Joan Gaspart has boldly stated that Marcus Rashford is a better player than Nico Williams. His comments came in response to criticism from Inaki Williams after the younger Williams turned down a move to Blaugrana and instead signed a long-term extension with Athletic Club."First of all, for me, Marcus Rashford is ...
General view of Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu stadium Real Madrid will begin their LaLiga campaign with a home game against Osasuna as scheduled after Spain's federation (RFEF) rejected their appeal to postpone the August 19 fixture on Thursday, local media reported.Real had requested a longer rest period and pre-season after playing in the Club World Cup in the US where they lost to Paris St Ge...
DONE DEAL: Real Sociedad sign Lyon defender Caleta-CarReal Sociedad have signed Olympique Lyon defender Duje Caleta-Car.The Croatia international has joined La Real on a season-long loan with an option to buy.Lyon have announced Caleta-Car will join La Real for an initial €500,000 loan fee and can sign permanently at the end of the coming season for €4m.Caleta-Car, 28, has a deal with ...
Elfsborg celebrate Arber Zeneli's winnerElfsborg were the only team to pick up three points in Sunday's Allsvenskan matches, beating Hacken 2-1 away from home to move above Malmo and into third place. Elsewhere, Djurgarden and Halmstad played out a stalemate, as did struggling Sirius and Oster.As the only team in the top five in action this weekend, Elfsborg had the chance not only to boost their ...
- 1 Phil Parkinson breaks silence on Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney's shock bid to bring ex-Man Utd star Christian Eriksen to Wrexham
- 2 TIPS - Real Salt Lake VS Atletico San Luis
- 3 Arsenal legend backs Premier League rivals to become next invincibles and take prestigious title from Gunners
- 4 Go Ahead Eagles star duo linked to Scottish giants Celtic and Rangers
- 5 Daily Laugh - Raya nair
- 6 Man Utd, Newcastle turn to Stuttgart striker Woltemade
- 7 Liverpool ready "to go big" for wantaway Newcastle striker Isak
- 8 Real Madrid Willing to Sell Rodrygo — But Only If Two Key Conditions Are Met
- 9 Man City boss Guardiola delivers definitive answer to Barcelona return question
- 10 TIPS - Karlsruher SC VS SC Preussen Munster