Bukayo Saka, the Arsenal and England football star, admitted he had never heard of music icon Celine Dion, sparking a viral moment during a recent interview with Nigerian Grammy-winning singer Tems.
The conversation took place on the first episode of The Link Up, a new show produced by Arsenal Football Club. Tems asked Saka about the artists who shaped her early music, and when she mentioned Celine Dion, Saka laughed and said, “I don’t know who that is.” Tems, visibly amused and shocked, responded, “You don’t know who Celine Dion is? Oh my gosh. Oh my gosh.”
Born in 2001, Saka has grown up immersed in modern sounds like Afrobeats, hip-hop, and contemporary R&B. He frequently listens to artists such as Burna Boy, Wizkid, and Drake. During the interview, he confirmed that music is an important part of his daily life and a source of motivation, praising Tems for her work.
Saka don’t know who Celine Dion is 😂pic.twitter.com/xx6TdPTYXe
— 그만큼-Atlantis (@Atlantis89_) March 6, 2026
Celine Dion, the Canadian singer behind timeless hits like My Heart Will Go On and Because You Loved Me, rose to fame in the 1990s and early 2000s, well before Saka’s birth. She has sold more than 200 million records worldwide and remains one of the most successful global artists in music history. The exchange highlights generational shifts in music tastes, as younger stars like Saka connect more with contemporary sounds than the pop classics that dominated two decades ago.
While the moment was lighthearted, it also underscores how global music culture continues to evolve. Icons like Dion remain legendary, yet for younger generations, her influence may be less immediate than artists shaping today’s charts.
