Burna Boy Presents Bukayo Saka with Socrates Award at 2026 Ballon d’Or

Photo: Franck Fife/AFP, via TheCable.

Burna Boy presented Arsenal and England forward Bukayo Saka with the Socrates Award at the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony in London on Monday, 26 October.

The honour recognises humanitarian work beyond football. Saka received it for his partnership with BigShoe, which has helped fund medical treatment for children in Nigeria and other African countries.

According to TheCable, his support covered surgeries for 120 children in Kano in 2022, followed by another 100 children across Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania in 2023.

During his acceptance, Saka shared a letter from a child who benefited from eye surgery through the initiative.

The presentation brought one of Nigeria’s biggest music stars together with a footballer of Nigerian heritage for a moment celebrating work away from the pitch.

Source: TheCable, 26 October 2026.