Kansas City, June 16: England’s star winger Bukayo Saka has made a bold statement ahead of his team’s first match in the FIFA World Cup. Struggling with an Achilles injury, Saka expressed his willingness to risk his fitness for the hopes of England in the tournament. The team’s opening game is set to take place on Thursday against Croatia.
This match holds special significance for Saka, as it marks his 50th international appearance for England. However, he has been troubled by Achilles issues over the past few months. This injury kept him out during the international break in March, and he missed seven matches for his club, Arsenal.
Despite the setback, Saka made a remarkable comeback, helping Arsenal secure the Premier League title for the first time in 22 years. In England’s final practice match against Costa Rica before the World Cup, he spent only 27 minutes on the field, raising concerns about his fitness.
In response to these concerns, Saka stated that since March, Arsenal’s manager Mikel Arteta, the club’s medical team, England’s coach Thomas Tuchel, and the national team’s medical staff have managed his fitness effectively. He feels significantly better now compared to the past months and is fully prepared to play for the team.
When asked if it is disheartening to be judged on performance despite not being fully fit, Saka acknowledged that it is a risk players often take. He emphasized that once on the field, spectators focus on performance rather than physical condition.
Saka is ready to embrace this challenge. He mentioned that he has taken similar risks before with positive outcomes. Now, he feels fitter than ever and is excited to give his best for England in the World Cup.
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