From a plastic bag football to the Premier League's brightest lights
In short: After fleeing the Burundian Civil War alone at age 10, Saido Berahino found a new life through football. From playing with balls made of plastic bags and laces to scoring winning goals at Old Trafford, his journey is a testament to how sport can bridge the gap between displacement and belonging.
Saido Berahino's ascent was nothing short of meteoric. After arriving in Birmingham and being placed in a care home, he eventually reunited with his family following a DNA test to confirm his relationship with his mother, Liliane. He joined the West Bromwich Albion Centre of Excellence in 2004, eventually turning professional in 2011. His breakout 2013–14 season saw him score a hat-trick against Newport County and a decisive winner against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
However, his rapid rise was marked by significant friction. Following a prolific second full season where he netted 20 goals in 45 matches, Berahino became embroiled in a protracted transfer saga involving Tottenham Hotspur. Tensions grew between him, chairman Jeremy Peace, and manager Tony Pulis during this time. His conduct was frequently criticized, including an unauthorized interview where he expressed a desire to move to a 'bigger' club and a Twitter outburst regarding the club's leadership.
The professional toll was evident. In late 2015, Berahino revealed that constant speculation had led to depression and affected his fitness, with medical staff noting he was 8 pounds overweight. Despite a £12 million move to Stoke City in January 2017, his momentum stalled. After a period of instability and a 913-day goal drought, the former England youth international eventually switched his international allegiance to Burundi in August 2018, later captaining them at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.
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