Arsenal striker Bukayo Saka was awarded the 2026 Socrates Award during the Ballon d'Or ceremony. The award, created in 2022 by the Ballon d'Or organization in collaboration with Peace and Sport, honors legendary Brazilian footballer Sócrates, known for both his talent on the field and his political and social activism. The delivery took place in Barcelona, where Saka received the recognition together with the BigShoe charity organization.
The award is awarded to the footballer or sports entity that has demonstrated the greatest humanitarian, solidarity or social work. In this edition, the award was awarded to the Xana Saka Foundation, an initiative created by the family of Paris Saint-Germain coach, Luis Enrique, in memory of his daughter who died in 2019. The foundation has collaborated closely with BigShoe to carry out projects that benefit children and young people at risk of social exclusion.
Saka, who is 25 years old, expressed his gratitude to France Football for the opportunity to receive the award. When accepting the award, the player highlighted the importance of helping children experience the excitement of football and recalled that everyone present shares the memory of what it means to be a child with a ball. “For me it is a great honor to be here, to receive this award on behalf of so many boys and girls whom we have been able to help,” he commented, emphasizing the blessing of being able to contribute to their well-being.
The Socrates Prize has been awarded to leading figures in world football: Jenni Hermoso in 2024, Vinicius in 2023 and Sadio Mané in 2022. The ceremony was also attended by Nigerian singer Burna Boy, who presented the award to Saka, adding a touch of international celebrity to the event.
With this recognition, Saka reinforces his commitment to social responsibility and solidarity, consolidating himself as a reference not only within Arsenal but also in the global football community. The future of the player promises to continue combining his performance on the field with initiatives that promote access to sport and social inclusion.