Words by Wilf
Arsenal’s starboy, Bukayo Saka, is fast becoming a cultural icon for all the right reasons.
Being called a cultural icon is a pretty big deal. These days, that grand ol’ title gets thrown around a little too much for my liking. Maybe it’s a by-product of the social media age, where any and everyone has an opinion. Knowing who’s *actually* a cultural icon, then, takes a bit more than a quick glance online. It’s a lofty title, one that belongs to those with significant cultural influence. The actual definition depends on who you ask – but for most, it’s this: someone identified by members of a particular culture or movement as representative of that culture. I say the Olympics, you think Usain Bolt. Ask you to name a musician, and Beyoncè probably springs to mind. The same, too, can be said of Bukayo Saka, Arsenal’s always-smiling, new-balance-wearing winger.
The 21-year-old England international is one helluva player, true – but that’s hardly the only thing that makes him special. Becoming a cultural icon, you see, requires a lot more than kicking a ball well. It’s why David Beckham’s more famous than Scholes, why your mum probably knows all about ‘project ‘Mppabbe’ – and why your younger siblings keep running around doing the ‘suiiiii.’ Fittingly, his rise has coincided with some of the biggest cultural and sporting moments – the Euros, Black Lives Matter, and the World Cup – placing him at the forefront of sporting culture. To be Black and British often means identifying with a mixture of English, African and Caribbean cultures – the ‘British’ element is just as important as the others.
Whilst proud of his Nigerian heritage, it is England Saka calls home and England he chose to represent at the international level against the hopes of the Super Eagles faithful. The pressure of making that career-defining decision at such a young age can be a heavy burden and if that was the case for Saka, you couldn’t tell as he coolly explained, “Choosing Nigeria over England would be a tough decision. My whole family has been in England like forever. It would be very strange for me to adapt to an environment that I had never been in since growing up.”
Saka’s first name, Bukayo, is of Yoruba origin, a Southern Nigerian dialect, meaning “adds to happiness” and boy is that accurate. His style of play is remarkably effortless, kinda like a Steph Curry three-pointer – is he even breaking a sweat? you wonder. He flows from one decisive action to the next without breaking stride, and he’s almost always the coolest cucumber around. The beautiful game’s biggest enemy are things being too regimented, too structured and frankly, boring. Bar a few names, there are no mavericks, no real stars capable of making fans ‘ feel’ things. Think back to the glory days, when footballing stars had personality. Think Beckham with his signature freekicks and ever-changing haircuts. Think Ronaldinho with his joyous face and unmatched ability – and think of Zidane, a man so effortlessly at ease with himself.
It’s hard to describe what having ‘it’ means – but Saka has ‘it.’ At the ripe old age of 21, he’s amassed a string of accomplishments worth marvelling over. He’s accomplished so much it feels like he’s been around forever, his wealth of experience is betrayed only by his boyish looks and positive vibes. The baby-faced winger’s already Arsenal’s leading man and a focal point for England.
It’s confidence not arrogance. A youthful freedom that you gravitate towards – heck even opposing fans have a hard time giving him stick. He’s entertaining, doesn’t cheat the game and carries himself with the humble swagger of a man who would rather show you how good he is than tell you. Honestly, It’s hard not to rate the guy, fitting, then, that he follows the trail blazed by another iconic figure, Ian Wright. Just like Wrighty, whose infectious smile and play inspired a generation of young black kids, was the face of an era for both Arsenal football club and black brits in the 90s, Saka aims to do so in the 2020’s and leave his own legacy for others to follow.
Oh and the World Cup? He’s already tallied two goals in a dominant 6-2 England victory against Iran. A number of creative forces have occupied England’s wings throughout history, but they have always lacked a truly world-class goal-scoring winger (think Arjen Robben) to partner their generational strikers. All signs point to Bukayo Saka filling that void and marking a new chapter to his Three Lions career as England look to “bring it home” – a stark change from his last international tournament outing.
11th July 2021.
A date that Saka and Black Brits everywhere will never forget. Not because England lost the Euro 2020 final in an emotionally draining manner (penalty shootout), but rather the backlash that followed.
Racism is an unfortunate part of the black experience, but what ensued that night crossed whatever boundaries that existed – all the ‘Kick-out racism’ campaigns, the kneeling before games in support of George Floyd and others, the Black Lives Matter printed jerseys, the list goes on and on – whatever progress those made vanished in an instant. Saka was one of three Black footballers who missed crucial penalties and were subsequently drowned with sustained racist abuse on social media. Just 19 years old at the time, a moment like that could have broken him but he responded in typical fashion, saying in an Instagram post, “I will not let that moment or the negativity I have received this week break me.” Before ending with an emotional gut punch, “love always wins.”
Since that moment, he’s gone up a level, winning back-to-back Arsenal Player of the Year crowns and cementing himself as one of the best players in the Premier League. And off the field? The endorsements are rolling in, Aimé Leon Dore, British GQ, and New Balance to name-drop a few. The latter with whom he recently dropped his first ever signature boot collection inspired by his childhood in tribute to Saka’s childhood football memories and incredible rise to the top of British football. “I’m so happy to have my own design, it really is a dream come true. Working with New Balance and Feyi Badejo to turn my ideas into art was such a fun experience, I can’t wait to wear the boots we created together”. Saka said.
He’s got the look, the skills are undeniable, the accolades are building and the collaborations with global brands generate millions of engagements. But most importantly, he’s got the credibility and a story millions of black brits and beyond across the diaspora can empathise with.
He’s lived the complete Black British experience right before our very eyes – the highs and the lows – and like his mazy dribbles on the pitch, never broken stride.
Bukayo Saka is a cultural icon.