Everyone loves a good comeback story, and Bukayo Saka's is about as inspirational as it gets.
There aren't too many 19 year olds who would have raised their hand to take a penalty in the final of the Euros at all, let alone the crucial fifth and final one. His reward for such a display of bravery and courage? Some of the most vile abuse imaginable.
For most teenagers this kind of traumatic experience would have been enough to see them veer wildly off course in their ascent to stardom. After digging deep to find a new gear to his prodigious talent though, Saka has ensured that night in Wembley was nothing but a speed bump.
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It's amazing that after everything he's done in 2022, people still question his character. After being kicked from pillar to post and requesting more protection from referees Steven Gerrard insinuated that Saka ought to toughen up. Clearly the former Aston Villa manager hadn't been watching closely enough.
Despite being kicked from pillar to post on a weekly basis, Saka rises to continue playing with the vibrancy and freedom that make him such a joy to watch. With 11 goals and eight assists this year, the Hale Ender has now added end product to his game that ensures he is no longer being talked about as one of the best young players in Premier League, but one of its best full stop.
Having helped set Arsenal on their way to an unexpected Premier League title charge, he now firmly has his sights set on ending the 56-year wait for a successful England men's team. With three goals already in Qatar he is well on course to help do that and in a squad that boasts the attacking talents of Phil Foden, Raheem Sterling, Marcus Rashford and Jack Grealish to name but a few, it speaks volumes that he has been Gareth Southgate's most regular starter.
The likes of Mohamed Salah and Kevin De Bruyne are also nominated for the 2022 Fans' Footballer of the Year award, but don't be blinded by the superstar name. Perhaps the only player who can hold a candle to what the 21-year-old has done this season is Beth Mead who's player of the tournament displays at the Euros and Ballon d'Or nomination deserve a mention. But it is very hard to look beyond Saka who has had a year few could have dreamed of after that awful night at Wembley last summer.
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