Bukayo Saka’s recent chat with Kim Kardashian saw him become the butt of a joke from Declan Rice after the Arsenal star joined up with his England teammates.
Saka arrived at St George’s Park to join the England camp ahead of their upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers against Italy and Ukraine. After walking into the building and being greeted by England staff, he went to see West Ham midfielder Rice and Manchester United left-back Luke Shaw.
The Arsenal winger wanted to say hello to his team-mates, but was instead welcomed into the room by some playful quips from the Hammers star. As soon as Rice saw Saka approaching he said to Shaw: “Bro he's been on FaceTime with Kim Kardashian! He don't want us anymore!"
Shaw and the two members of staff in the room cracked up laughing before Saka responded: “Do you want me to say hello to you or not, bro?”
Rice was delighted to see Saka, pulling him in for a hug with: “come here brother! Good to see you, man.” Shaw stopped laughing and said, “come here my friend” before embracing Saka.
Saka did indeed spend time on FaceTime with Kardashian, with the reality TV star surprisingly being spotted attending the Gunners' Europa League clash with Sporting Lisbon last Thursday. Kardashian’s seven-year-old son, Saint, is a big Arsenal fan and went to the Emirates Stadium to watch his side in action.
Saint was supposed to meet Saka, but the meet-up never happened, prompting Kardashian to arrange a brief chat with the Arsenal winger on the phone. She then shared the interaction on her Instagram account.
"Sorry that I missed you yesterday, they said that you were in the player's lounge, I had a shirt for you,” Saka said. Another youngster on the call then said: "We're gonna come back if you win the Premier League!”
Saka laughed and jokingly corrected him: "When [not if], when.” He then added: "Tell them to let me know when they're coming back and we'll sort them some t-shirts.”
Saka was not the only footballer to speak with the Kardashians – Dele Alli met the group in person, while David Beckham also provided some signed shirts.
After scoring twice in Arsenal’s 4-1 win over Crystal Palace on the weekend to put Mikel Arteta’s side eight points clear at the top of the Premier League table, Saka is now focused on helping England. Gareth Southgate’s side will travel to Naples in the coming days to face Italy in their first Euro 2024 qualifier.
They will then host Ukraine at Wembley on Sunday. England have been drawn in Group C, with Malta and North Macedonia the other two sides who they will play home and away in a bid to qualify for Euro 2024, which takes place in Germany next summer.
