England and Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka won the 2026 Socrates Award at the Ballon d’Or ceremony in London on 26 October 2026. The award recognises humanitarian work and charitable initiatives undertaken outside football.
The 2026 Award and Ceremony
Saka received the award for humanitarian initiatives carried out with his family and through charitable partnerships. Nigerian musician Burna Boy presented the trophy to the 25-year-old footballer. The ceremony was held in London as part of the Ballon d’Or event.
Saka’s Humanitarian Initiatives
Saka partnered with the German charitable foundation BigShoe to fund surgical operations for children in Nigeria, the homeland of his parents. His support helped fund 120 operations for young people with health conditions, including hernias and brain tumours. Saka and his family have also supported medical care and aid for children and families in London and other parts of the world. Their initiatives included funding emergency housing for families affected by earthquakes in Turkey and Morocco.
The Socrates Award
France Football magazine and the Peace and Sport organisation launched the Socrates Award in 2022. It is named after the late Brazilian footballer Sócrates, who played as a midfielder for Brazil in the 1982 and 1986 FIFA World Cups. Previous recipients include Senegalese footballer Sadio Mané in 2022, Brazilian footballer Vinícius Júnior in 2023, Spanish footballer Jenni Hermoso in 2024 and the Xana Foundation in 2025.
Important Facts for Exams
:
- France Football magazine and Peace and Sport launched the Socrates Award in 2022.
- Sadio Mané was the first recipient of the Socrates Award in 2022.
- Sócrates represented Brazil at the 1982 and 1986 FIFA World Cups.
- BigShoe is a German charitable foundation that partnered with Saka to fund children’s surgeries in Nigeria.
The 2026 award ceremony took place in London on 26 October. Saka’s supported operations in Nigeria included treatment for hernias and brain tumours.
