Bukayo Saka Names Neymar as Childhood Football Idol
Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka has revealed the football icon who inspired him most during his formative years, naming Brazilian superstar Neymar Jr. as his childhood hero.
The 24-year-old England international made the disclosure in an interview with Sky Sports, where he was asked to speak about the player he idolised growing up. Without hesitation, Saka pointed to Neymar, particularly during the forward’s glittering peak years at Barcelona.
“I have to pick Neymar,” Saka said.
“Growing up, Neymar was the player I idolized the most. There is not a clip of him on YouTube I’ve not watched.
Me and my friends, when we used to do education in the academy, we would get YouTube up and watch Neymar’s clips.
The fun and joy Neymar brought to the game—I will go with him.”
Opinion: A Choice That Explains Saka’s Style
Saka’s admiration for Neymar comes as little surprise to football fans. The Brazilian is widely regarded as one of the most entertaining players of his generation, known for his flair, creativity, and fearless approach to the game—qualities that can also be seen in Saka’s own style.
While Saka has built a reputation around discipline, consistency, and teamwork, moments of trickery and confidence in one-on-one situations hint at the influence of a player who played football with freedom and expression. Neymar’s Barcelona years, in particular, inspired a generation of young players who learned that football could be both effective and joyful.
What makes Saka’s journey even more impressive is how he has blended that inspiration with his own personality. Rather than copying Neymar’s flamboyance outright, he has adapted the Brazilian’s creativity into a more balanced, team-oriented approach—one that has made him indispensable for both Arsenal and England.
In many ways, Saka’s revelation is a reminder of how football legacies travel across continents. From the streets of Brazil to the academies of England, Neymar’s influence lives on—and in Bukayo Saka, fans are seeing a modern example of how inspiration can evolve into excellence.
