Bukayo Saka, the Arsenal F.C. and England national football team star, has sparked online reactions after admitting he had never heard of global music legend Celine Dion during a relaxed interview with Nigerian singer Tems.

The moment occurred during the debut episode of The Link Up, a new show launched by Arsenal, where Saka sat down with Tems for a light-hearted conversation about music, career influences and life beyond the pitch.

While discussing her early musical inspirations, Tems mentioned Dion as one of the artists who influenced her journey. Saka responded with genuine surprise.

“I don’t know who that is,” the 22-year-old footballer said with a laugh.

Tems, visibly shocked but amused by the confession, responded instantly: “You don’t know who Celine Dion is? Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh.”

The brief exchange quickly went viral on social media, with fans debating generational gaps in music taste.

Born in 2001, Saka belongs to a younger generation more closely associated with contemporary sounds such as Afrobeats, hip-hop and modern R&B. The winger has previously expressed admiration for artists like Burna Boy, Wizkid and Drake. During the interview, he also acknowledged listening to Tems’ music and said music plays an important role in his life.

Dion, however, rose to global prominence in the 1990s and early 2000s well before Saka’s childhood. The Canadian superstar is known for chart-topping hits such as My Heart Will Go On and Because You Loved Me, and has sold more than 200 million records worldwide, making her one of the best-selling artists of all time. (Leadership)