VIDEO: Moments Burna Boy presented Sócrates award to Bukayo Saka at Ballon d’Or ceremony

Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka has received the 2026 Sócrates Award at the Ballon d’Or ceremony, with Nigerian Grammy-winning singer Burna Boy presenting the honour.

The award recognises Saka’s humanitarian efforts through his partnership with BigShoe, an organisation that supports children in need of medical treatment.

Through the initiative, Saka has helped fund life-changing surgeries for children in Nigeria, provided 50 container homes for 84 families displaced by earthquakes in Morocco and supported emergency housing for 26 families in Turkey.

During his acceptance speech, the England international read a letter from 14-year-old Biringiro in Rwanda, who began losing his eyesight at the age of 12 before receiving restorative care through the initiative.

The Sócrates award recognises footballers who use their influence to support humanitarian causes and make a positive impact beyond the pitch.

Burna Boy’s presentation of the award also brought Nigerian music into the spotlight at one of football’s most prominent award ceremonies.