Bukayo Saka, one of the Premier League’s brightest young stars and an England international, has been dealing with detractors with remarkable poise and resilience.

This week has been particularly eventful for the 21-year-old. Last night, he played 71 minutes in Arsenal’s 1-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers, helping the team climb to fifth place in the Premier League. Two nights prior, he attended the BRIT Awards with Ian Wright, where he presented Dave with the award for Best Hip Hop/Rap/Grime Act. Tonight, he’s enjoying a meal at Stork Restaurant in Mayfair with his older brother Yomi, who is also a close friend, and members of his management team, Ebi Sampson and Idz. The menu features a wide array of pan-African dishes, and Saka, showing the same confidence as he does on the pitch, opts for sliced steak, sticking to a reliable choice.

Just a few months ago, Saka faced a very different kind of challenge. After England’s defeat to Italy in the Euro 2020 final, he, along with two other Black players, received a barrage of racist abuse online after missing penalties. Saka, however, was not taken aback by the hostility. Reflecting on the experience, he posted on Instagram shortly after the final: “I knew instantly the kind of hate that I was about to receive.” Despite the cruelty, Saka remained resolute. He shared images from the tournament, including one of him joyfully atop an inflatable unicorn and another of Southgate offering him comfort. In his Instagram message, Saka ended with the hopeful assertion, “love always wins,” and vowed, “I will not let that moment or the negativity I have received this week break me.”