Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka has been compared to Lionel Messi by one of his England teammates after starring off the bench in Monday’s 3-3 draw with Germany.
The 21-year-old was left out of the starting lineup following Friday’s 1-0 defeat to Italy but made a huge impact as a 66th minute substitute last night, helping The Three Lions come from 2-0 down to take a 3-2 lead within 12 second half minutes at Wembley Stadium.
And although the game eventually ended all-square, England midfielder Jude Bellingham compared Saka to Paris Saint-Germain forward Messi by nicknaming him ‘Leo’ following his influential super-sub performance.
After teeing up Reece James to cross for Luke Shaw to score, Saka then grabbed the assist for Mason Mount’s equaliser, before almost netting a thrilling late winner himself - only to be denied by a superb save by Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Following the match, Saka posted a message to Instagram praising the fans at Wembley and the team’s character, of which Bellingham dubbed the Arsenal winger ‘Leo’ in the comments section following his teammate’s second-half showing.
And it was a fully justified comparison by the Borussia Dortmund midfielder, with Saka showing just what he can offer to Gareth Southgate ahead of the upcoming 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar in November.
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Saka replaced Manchester City ’s Phil Foden in the 66th minute and instantly took on his more natural role on the right side of the front three, where he dazzled in his 25 minute cameo to inspire England’s comeback from 2-0 down.
And his performance was a stark contrast to the one he put on against Italy just three days prior, having started that 1-0 defeat at the San Siro as a left-wing back - a position he hadn’t played in for two years. The 21-year-old evidently struggled on the night as his defensive inexperience was exposed.
But Saka, who was named England Men’s Player of the Year last week, returned to his favoured position against Germany and showed just why he is one of the best right-wingers in the Premier League as he created chances and caused real problems to the opponents in the final third.
Despite helping Arsenal to the top of the Premier League table with six wins from their first seven games, Saka has come under some scrutiny for a ‘slow’ start to the campaign, despite recording one goal and four assists so far.
Yet he proved his doubters wrong with his super-sub appearance at Wembley on Monday and showed just why he is a regular starter for Arsenal, as well as the exciting weapon he can be for England when they fly to the middle-east in less than two months’ time.
Foden looks to be first choice at right wing, while competition also comes from Raheem Sterling and Jack Grealish on the opposite flank. Manchester United duo Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford will be trying to force their way into Southgate’s World Cup squad, but Saka has given the perfect audition to suggest he should be ahead in the pecking order.
