Why Bukayo Saka Won the Socrates Award at the 2026 Ballon d’Or

Harry Kane took the big trophy, but one of the night’s warmest moments belonged to Bukayo Saka. At the Ballon d’Or ceremony in London on October 26, 2026, the Arsenal winger won the Socrates Award, and a Nigerian superstar handed it to him. So, why him? Here is the story behind the award.

What Is the Socrates Award?

Unlike the Ballon d’Or itself, the Socrates Award has nothing to do with goals. It is presented by France Football and Peace and Sport, and it honours football figures who use their fame to support humanitarian, education and health causes. The prize launched in 2022 and is named after the late Brazilian footballer Sócrates, who was known for his social stances.

Past winners include Sadio Mané (2022), Vinícius Júnior (2023), Jenni Hermoso (2024) and the Xana Foundation (2025). Now, Saka joins that list.

Why Did Saka Win? The BigShoe Connection

In short, it comes down to his work with a charity called BigShoe. The charity helps children get medical treatment their families cannot afford, and Saka has backed it since 2022.

120 Children Operated On in Kano

The best-known project is in Nigeria. Saka paid for 120 operations for children in Kano, covering conditions such as hernias and brain tumours. The surgeries were completed around October 2022, just before his first World Cup with England.

At the time, he said: “This isn’t about me, it is about the 120 children.” That line explains a lot about why the award feels natural for him.

Help Beyond Nigeria

However, his work did not stop in Kano. Saka has also helped fund emergency housing and shelter for families displaced by earthquakes in Turkey and Morocco. He is also said to have provided health check-ups for more than 580 children in Rwanda and health insurance for about 1,000 more people.

Burna Boy presenting the Socrates Award to Saka

The Moment on Stage: Burna Boy and a Letter From Rwanda

Nigerian music star Burna Boy presented the award, and he opened with the words “Just as I guessed”.

Then Saka did something special. Instead of a long speech, he read a letter from Biringiro, a 14-year-old boy in Rwanda whose eyesight was restored through BigShoe. The boy wrote that he can enjoy being a child again.

Saka then closed with these words: “We know how it feels to be a child and having a ball at your feet and how much joy you have.” He also said: “On behalf of all the children we’ve been able to help, thank you.”

Why Nigerians Care So Much

Saka was born and raised in England, but his Nigerian roots matter to many fans. Saka has said that both his parents grew up in Nigeria, and that he is very proud of that heritage.

Because the Kano surgeries helped Nigerian children, and because a Nigerian artist presented the trophy, the moment felt like a big win for Nigeria too. 

Also, fans who follow our sports desk know how closely Nigerians follow players with roots in the country, from the pitch to the world stage.

How Does Saka’s Award Compare With Past Winners?

Each winner has been honoured for a different kind of impact. Mané was recognised for health and education projects in his home village of Bambali, including a hospital and a school. Vinícius Júnior won for children’s education and anti-racism work through his foundation.

Hermoso’s award highlighted her stance on abuse and discrimination, while the Xana Foundation supports seriously ill children and their families. Saka’s win fits the same pattern, because his work is also about children’s health. Besides that, Mesut Özil and Oleksandr Zinchenko have also been heavily involved with BigShoe, which shows how football stars are increasingly backing the cause.

A Quick Look at Saka’s Night

• Award: Socrates Award, for humanitarian work.

• Date and place: October 26, 2026, London.

• Presenter: Burna Boy.

• Charity: BigShoe, which was founded in Germany before the 2006 World Cup.

• Key project: 120 operations for children in Kano, Nigeria.

Notably, other Arsenal names were overlooked that night. For example, Mikel Arteta lost Coach of the Year to Luis de la Fuente, so Saka’s award was a bright spot for the club.

Saka’s award is a reminder that the biggest nights in football are not only about trophies and goals. Sometimes, the most memorable moment is a letter from a child. For more football stories, visit our sports desk, or read about how a World Cup place was lost on penalties.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who won the Socrates Award at the 2026 Ballon d’Or?

Bukayo Saka of Arsenal and England won it for his humanitarian work.

2. Who presented Saka with the award?

Nigerian music star Burna Boy.

3. What charity does Saka support?

BigShoe, which funds medical care for children.

4. Is the Socrates Award about football skill?

No. It recognises humanitarian, education and health work by people in football.