Recently, football star Bukayo Saka – one of the most talented English footballers playing today – who was instrumental in Arsenal’s most successful campaign in over 20 years, has been given the documentary treatment.
Bukayo Saka: The Time is Now was released less than two weeks after Arsenal won their first Premier League title since 2004, and less than a week after the London club narrowly missed out on being crowned European champions (losing on penalties to Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final). This is also in the lead-up to the 2026 World Cup, where Saka has been selected for the England squad and is expected to play a key role.
The film, directed by Emmy Award winner Robert Alexander, was announced by WhatsApp and produced in partnership with Saka and Modern Arts. It will be available on Disney+ in select markets and on Fox in the US.
‘Bukayo Saka: The Time is Now’ will see Saka join club legend Thierry Henry, bringing together two generations of Arsenal’s greatest players, with the filmmakers touting a disarming look at what it takes to perform at the highest level. In it, he and Henry reflect on the pressure, resilience and joy of being drawn into the game in the first place, and the conversation returns to Saka’s childhood home in Ealing, where it all began.
The documentary will also reveal Saka’s personal support system in public, including a WhatsApp message from Henry that changed his perspective after the Euro 2020 Championship. This was a pivotal point in his career when, aged just 19, he missed a penalty in the final against Italy. According to the description, it’s “a testament to the power of staying connected to those who matter most, especially when the stakes are the highest.”
“This film gave me the opportunity to tell my story in a way I never had before,” Saka said. “People see the goals and the games, but they don’t see what goes on behind the scenes. Part of that is my support system, the WhatsApp messages from people who were there long before this happened and believed in me every step of the way.”
“Bukayo Saka: The Time Is Now” will be available to stream on Disney+ in select international markets beginning June 5th, and on the ESPN app in the U.S. later this month. The film will be broadcast on FOX in the US on June 7th and will also be available on FOX One.
“We shot together in London for several days and were able to capture the conversations of honesty, admiration and love between Thierry Henry and Bukayo Saka,” Alexander said. “Superstars have taught us that despite the greatest fame and success, we still fight for our ultimate goal: happiness. We hope this film can inspire viewers to just follow their dreams and inspire others to do the same.” The fuel we need to keep going comes from those who love us, support us, and believe in us. But the most powerful motivator is our younger selves, the children who first discovered the sense of magic and purpose that dreams can give us.
Jenny Morrell, head of brand marketing at WhatsApp, added: “This is a defining year in Bukayo’s career and this film shows what that’s really like – not just on the pitch, but also in private moments with the people who keep him grounded. We’re thrilled to be a part of how he stays connected to his inner circle and to help him share this story with the world.”
Watch the trailer for “Bukayo Saka: The Time is Now” below.
