Bukayo Saka won the Football Black List award for his off-field work this week, sending a message of thanks through social media.

• Bukayo Saka, Arsenal’s midfield dynamo, has been awarded the Football Black List Player – Off The Pitch recognition for his influential work beyond football.
• Saka expressed his gratitude via social media, unable to receive the award in person due to England’s international duty, and called for more support for those making significant contributions off the field.
• This recognition, according to Arsenal, is a testament to Saka’s impact beyond the football pitch, in addition to his stellar performance this season, reinforcing his reputation as an exemplary athlete and role model.

On Wednesday evening, the Football Black List named Bukayo Saka as their Player – Off The Pitch award winner.

Per their website, the Football Black List is a celebration of the wide array of influential Black individuals in the industry across a number of categories, from the media, to administration, to the players themselves.

Saka was unable to receive the award in person, given he’s currently away with England on international duty. The 21-year-old started in the win over Italy on Thursday, playing 85 minutes.

But on learning he would be receiving the award, Saka sent a message via the Football Black List social media pages.

“As you can see, I’m away with England right now so I can’t be there with you tonight,” Saka began.

“But I want to say a big thank you to the Football Black List awards, for recognising me with this award.

“I want to say I appreciate the recognition. I also want to say there’s so many other great voices out there, people doing amazing things. So let’s all continue to encourage them, and try and make a difference where we can.”

Arsenal report that the panel of experts voting on nominations from the public for the award included representatives from the Premier League, The Football Association, League Managers Association, English Football League, PGMOL, BCOMS, and Kick It Out.

Saka has been hugely successful on the pitch so far this season, scoring or assisting 23 goals as Arsenal sit top of the Premier League.

The winger is regularly up for Premier League Player of the Month awards, recently earning another nomination for his efforts in March. He also won the Young Player of the Year award at the most recent London Football Awards.

But this award from the Football Black List is something a bit different, recognising Saka for what he’s doing away from the pitch.

That’s certainly great to see, and it’s another reason to be proud to call the youngster an Arsenal player.