Having recently been instrumental to Arsenal‘s most successful campaign in more than 20 years, soccer star Bukayo Saka — one of the most gifted British footballers playing today — is getting the documentary treatment.
“Bukayo Saka: The Time is Now” has been unveiled less than two weeks after Arsenal won its first Premier League title since 2004 and a week after the London club narrowly missed out on being crowned champions of Europe (they lost on penalties to Paris Saint Germain in the Champions League final). It also comes ahead of the 2026 World Cup, with Saka having been named in the England squad and expected to play a prominent role.
Directed by Emmy winner Robert Alexander, the film was announced by WhatsApp and has been produced in partnership with Saka and Modern Arts. It will land on Disney+ in June.
“Bukayo Saka: The Time is Now” brings together two generations of Arsenal greats as Saka joins club legend Thierry Henry for what’s billed by the filmmakers as an unguarded look at what it takes to perform at the highest level. In it, he and Henry reflect on pressure, resilience, and the joy that first drew them to the game, with the conversation taking them back to Saka’s childhood home in Ealing where it all began.
The documentary will also reveal Saka’s private support system behind the public moments, including a WhatsApp message from Henry that shifted his perspective following the Euro 2020 championships — a pivotal point in his career when, at the age of just 19, he missed a penalty in the final against Italy. As per the description, it’s a “testament to the power of staying connected to the people who matter most, especially when the stakes are highest.”
“This film has given me the chance to tell my story in a way I never have before,” said Saka. “People see the goals and the matches, but they don’t see what it takes behind the scenes, and part of that is my support system, the WhatsApp messages from the people who were there long before any of this who have believed in me every step of the way.”
“Bukayo Saka: The Time is Now” is set to stream on Disney+ in select international markets from June 5 and in the U.S. later this month, along with the ESPN App. The film will also air on FOX in the U.S. on June 7 and will be available on FOX One.
“For a few days filming together in London we were able to capture conversations of honesty, admiration, and love between Thierry Henry and Bukayo Saka,” said Alexander. “The superstars showed us that despite the greatest fame and success, we are all fighting for the ultimate goal — happiness. My hope is that this film will remind viewers that just by chasing our own dreams, we inspire others to do the same. The fuel necessary to keep us going is from the people who love us, support us, and believe in us. But the most powerful motivator of all is our younger self — the kid who first discovered the magical feeling and purpose that dreaming gave us.”
Added Jennie Morel, head of brand marketing at WhatsApp: “This is a defining year in Bukayo’s career, and this film shows what that really looks like – not just on the pitch, but in the private moments with the people who keep him grounded. We’re incredibly honored to be part of how he stays connected to his inner circle, and to help him share this story with the world.”
See the trailer for “Bukayo Saka: The Time is Now” below:
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