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."
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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."
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