Former Arsenal star Mesut Ozil says Bukayo Saka deserves respect for stepping up in England’s Euro 2020 closing penalty shoot-out defeat to Italy and has urged {the teenager} to stay strong in the face of racism.Saka missed the decisive penalty and was subjected to racist abuse on social media following the sport together with team-mates Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho, who had been additionally unable to convert from the spot.
Former Arsenal playmaker Ozil empathised with Saka over his penalty shoot-out heartbreak and supplied his help to the 19-year-old in an unique interview with Sky Sports News.
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England’s Kalvin Phillips and Luke Shaw consolation teammate Bukayo Saka after he failed to rating a penalty
“I felt very a lot for Bukayo,” mentioned Ozil. “I do know from my very own expertise the way it feels to miss a penalty.”In a closing, because the final one, to tackle the duty of a complete nation as a younger participant – respect. Not many gamers would dare to try this.”
Ozil, who performed for Germany between 2009 and 2018, retired from worldwide soccer citing racist abuse.
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Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka and Jadon Sancho missed penalties in England’s shootout defeat
At the time he tweeted: “I’m German after we win, however I’m an immigrant after we lose,” – a message that was echoed by many in response to the racist abuse geared toward England’s younger black gamers.
The 32-year-old says the issue shouldn’t be going away.”There will all the time be individuals who racially abuse and scapegoat folks of totally different backgrounds and pores and skin color once they lose,” he added.Asked if he has any recommendation for the Saka, Sancho and Rashford, Ozil mentioned: “Unfortunately there’ll all the time be a small half of our neighborhood that racially insults and threatens gamers.”We ought to focus way more on the constructive messages that hold gamers strong.”
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Bukayo Saka was one of three England gamers to be focused on social media with racist abuse after the Euro 2020 closing
Ozil and Saka performed collectively at Arsenal for 2 seasons earlier than the previous moved to Fenerbahce. Speaking after pre-season coaching in Turkey, Ozil recalled getting to know his former Gunners team-mate.”Bukayo is a modest younger participant. I’ve gotten to know him as a really decided younger man who works very onerous for his dream and does every thing he can to obtain it.”Ozil is assured that Saka has the flexibility and mindset to transfer on from his setback with England and play an integral half for the Three Lions transferring ahead.”Bukayo is blessed with a expertise that not many have,” mentioned Ozil. “If he stays as humble and decided as he already is, I’m 100 per cent satisfied that he has a terrific future forward of him and may turn into a terrific participant.”He’s actually a terrific expertise, and I’m positive that there are going to be many extra large matches for the English nationwide staff for him in the longer term.”
https://www.skysports.com/soccer/information/11670/12360897/mesut-ozil-former-arsenal-star-tells-bukayo-saka-to-stay-strong-in-face-of-racism-after-england-penalty-shoot-out-defeat