Arsenal and England forward Bukayo Saka has won the 2026 Socrates Award in recognition of his humanitarian work, with Nigerian music star Burna Boy presenting the honour at the Ballon d’Or ceremony in London on Monday, October 26.
Saka received the award for his work supporting children in need through BigShoe, a charity that provides medical treatment to disadvantaged children.
Reports on the initiative say his support helped fund 120 medical operations for children in Kano, Nigeria.
The award was presented during the annual football ceremony at the London Palladium, which recognises outstanding individual performances alongside contributions to the game and wider society.
The Socrates Award was established in 2022 by France Football in collaboration with Peace and Sport. Named after the late Brazilian footballer Sócrates, who was known for combining his career with social activism, it recognises humanitarian initiatives and efforts to create positive social change.
Saka’s recognition highlights the role footballers can play in supporting communities beyond their performances on the pitch. Through his involvement with BigShoe, the England international has helped support access to medical care for children who need treatment.
The charity works to provide medical assistance, including operations for children whose families may struggle to meet the cost of treatment.
Its initiatives have helped children with a range of medical conditions, demonstrating how support from prominent sports figures can contribute to practical humanitarian work.
Burna Boy’s role in presenting the award also brought an African music star into the spotlight at one of football’s most prominent annual ceremonies.
Before presenting the trophy, the Grammy-winning singer spoke about his own efforts to support football development in Nigeria through a football academy he established several years ago.
“Something I started a few years ago, just to support the football culture back home. Hopefully, inshallah, one day I’ll come back here to see one of my people getting an award in Ballon d’Or,” Burna Boy said.
His remarks reflected his ambition to help nurture football talent in Nigeria and see players from the country gain recognition at the highest level of the sport.
Saka’s award adds a humanitarian distinction to a ceremony largely associated with individual football performances. While the Ballon d’Or honours the leading men’s and women’s players, the Socrates Award recognises efforts to use the influence of sport to support people and communities.
The 2026 ceremony also saw Bayern Munich and England striker Harry Kane win the men’s Ballon d’Or, while Barcelona midfielder Alexia Putellas claimed the women’s award for a third time.
Saka’s recognition places his charitable work alongside the evening’s sporting achievements, underlining the importance of contributions beyond football results.
