Thierry Henry reveals his message to Bukayo Saka after Euro 2020 final

Saka missed a crucial penalty in England’s home defeat against Italy.

England were about to end their 55-year trophy drought when they reached the Euro 2020 final in the summer. The Three Lions faced Italy in the final but suffered a bitter defeat at Wembley.

Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, and Bukayo Saka missed their crucial penalties as Italy won the continental trophy. All three players were subjected to racial abuse after the game, while Police arrested a few people over racist acts.

In a new interview, Arsenal legend Thierry Henry opened up on his own experiences with racism.

“Whatever problem you have in society, at times you will see it also in the game,” the Frenchman told GQ.

“What did I feel? I knew it was going to happen because it was the trend. It is just something that now, oh, let’s do that.

“So when those guys miss the penalties, I was like, watch how they’re going to get abused. And they did get abused. I felt sorry for them… it could have been me.“

The former France international revealed his message to Saka after the game.

“I know Bukayo, so I dropped him a line to tell him that actually for me, you going to present yourself to take that penalty, you are a hero,” the 44-year-old said.

“I didn’t [care] actually, him scoring or not scoring. Even the courage to go in there, to go and take the penalty at his age, for me he’s a hero.”

Since the Wembley final, Saka has continued his key role in Arsenal’s lineup. The youngster is also establishing himself as a regular starter at England ahead of the next year’s World Cup.