Bukayo Saka Receives Socrates Award at Ballon d'Or Ceremony

Arsenal star and England international Bukayo Saka was awarded the prestigious Socrates Award during the Ballon d'Or ceremony held at the Palladium Theatre in London. The accolade honors footballers who leverage their platform, fame, and resources to serve their communities and drive impactful social change away from the pitch.

Presented by musician Burna Boy, the honor recognized Saka's long-standing collaboration with the German charitable foundation Big Shoe. Through this partnership, Saka and his family have helped fund transformative medical procedures, life-changing surgeries, and emergency humanitarian relief for underprivileged children and families across London, Nigeria, and other African nations including Rwanda, Kenya, and Tanzania.

Among the initiatives supported by the winger are surgeries addressing critical health issues such as hernias and brain tumors. During his acceptance speech, Saka read a heartfelt letter from a young beneficiary who had undergone a successful eye operation, expressing his hope that the ongoing project will continue to assist vulnerable children in developing regions who lack access to standard medical care.

The Socrates Award was established in 2022 by France Football magazine in partnership with the Peace and Sport organization. Named in honor of the legendary late Brazilian footballer and doctor Socrates—who was renowned for his dedication to democracy and social justice—the trophy aims to spotlight the profound humanitarian contributions of modern sports stars.

Joël Bouzou, president of Peace and Sport, emphasized that the prize helps amplify the positive impact of athletes who recognize their influence extends far beyond athletic achievements. According to organizers, candidates are carefully evaluated throughout the year by a specialized jury based on tangible social impact, personal involvement, and international visibility.

Saka joins a distinguished group of prior recipients who have used their influence to champion social causes. Senegal striker Sadio Mane was the inaugural winner in 2022 for funding educational and healthcare infrastructure in his home village, followed by Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior in 2023 for combating racism and expanding educational opportunities in Brazil.

Subsequent honors went to Spanish midfielder Jenni Hermoso in 2024 for her stance against abuse and discrimination, and to the Xana Foundation linked to Spanish coach Luis Enrique in 2025 for supporting families of children facing serious illnesses. With Saka's recognition, the football community continues to celebrate athletes who utilize their global presence to better society.