In a recent interview with Sky Sports, 21-year-old football sensation Bukayo Saka delved into the arduous decision he faced when choosing between representing England and Nigeria on the international stage.
Despite his Nigerian heritage, Saka ultimately opted to play for England, a decision influenced by his deep connection to the country in which he grew up.
Saka, who made his international debut for England in 2020, has since made an impressive 26 appearances for the Three Lions, scoring 8 goals. His outstanding performance on the field has solidified his position as an integral part of the English national team.
Discussing his choice, Saka expressed his gratitude for his Nigerian roots but acknowledged the challenges he would have faced adapting to a new environment. With his entire family having a longstanding presence in England, the prospect of transitioning to a different country felt unfamiliar and daunting to the talented winger.
“Choosing Nigeria over England would have been a tough decision,” Saka shared. “My whole family has been in England like forever, and it would be very strange for me to adapt to an environment that I had never been at since growing up. When I grew up, all my documents stated that I am English, and hopefully, Nigerian people will understand.”
Saka scored 14 goals and registered 11 assists in 38 league games for Arsenal in the just-concluded Premier League season.