Burna Boy Hands Saka Prestigious Sócrates Award At 2026 Ballon d’Or

Grammy-winning Nigerian artist Burna Boy presented Arsenal and England forward Bukayo Saka with the 2026 Sócrates Award at the 70th annual Ballon d’Or ceremony in London on Monday, October 26, 2026.

The Sócrates Award recognizes professional footballers for outstanding humanitarian work, social activism, and community impact.

Read Also:Kane Wins 2026 Ballon d’Or Award

Saka received the honor in recognition of his extensive global charitable initiatives supporting underprivileged and vulnerable children.

Taking the stage at the London Palladium Theatre, Burna Boy commended Saka’s efforts off the pitch and shared his own ambitions for youth development through his personal football academy, expressing hope that it will one day produce future Ballon d’Or winners.

After receiving the award on stage, Saka shared a story from a 14-year-old Biringiro in Rwanda, who benefitted from the work of the charity BigShoe.

Reading the boy’s letter, Saka said: “When I was 12, I started losing my sight. My village has no electricity and as my eyesight got worse, even moving around my home became difficult.

Read Also:Fixture Pile Up Not An Excuse For El Clasico Loss –Cubarsi

“Then, thanks to BigShoe, I received the eye care that I needed. Today, I can read the blackboard even from the back of the classroom.

“I can enjoy being a child again. For the first time in a long time, I’m excited about my future. I want to become an English teacher one day.”

The gala marked a landmark moment in football history as the first Ballon d’Or ceremony hosted outside of France, held in London to mark the 70th anniversary of inaugural 1956 winner Sir Stanley Matthews.

Austin Akhilomen is a passionate sports content writer with a strong interest in football. He is a fan of the Super Eagles of Nigeria and Chelsea, and he enjoys following the teams, players, and competitions that make the sport exciting. Austin writes sports news, match reports, and football content to keep readers informed about the latest developments in the sporting world. His passion for sports also drives his aim to promote the game and connect football fans across the globe. Through his work with Complete Sports, Austin shares engaging sports content with readers and brings his love for football into every story he writes.