Meet TIME’s newest class of Next Generation Leaders: How @bukayosaka87 became the inspiring new face of British soccer. Since the 1980s, young Black wingers have been derogatorily pigeon­holed as talented luxuries, players who can score amazing goals but who are not to be relied upon in a pinch, writes Charlie Campbell. Saka has blown up that racist shibboleth by demonstrating an innate tactical knowledge. He sees space before it appears and can predict teammates’ movements they haven’t yet thought of themselves. Saka attributes his hard work and professionalism to his upbringing in a Nigerian immigrant family in the West London suburb of Greenford. “Anything I put my mind to, [my parents] pushed me 100% to give it my all, and to make sure I’m the best I can be,” he says. His 20 goals and 19 assists in 106 Premier League appearances for Arsenal—where he was player of the year for the past two seasons—have cemented Saka’s place as an England regular on the right wing of the pitch. In September, he won the England men’s player of the year award. After the Qatar World Cup in November, Saka’s dream is to test himself on Europe’s grandest club stage of the Champions League. There’s little doubt that he’s destined to reach the pinnacle of the sport, and inspire a few people along the way. “I just want young people to realize that I was like them one day—with a dream,” says Saka. Read the full cover story and see the rest of the Next Generation Leaders at the link in our bio. Photographs by @campbelladdy for TIME