LONDON — Arsenal and England forward Bukayo Saka has been honored with the Socrates Award at the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony in recognition of his humanitarian efforts, which include supporting medical procedures for children in Nigeria, providing school uniforms in London, and speaking out against racism.
The 25-year-old footballer has demonstrated a commitment to helping underprivileged communities beyond the football pitch. Established in 2022, the Socrates Award recognizes footballers who have made significant contributions to humanitarian and charitable causes.
According to the official Ballon d’Or website, one of Saka’s key initiatives has involved supporting BigShoe, a German charity that helps provide medical care for children. Through this initiative, Saka has helped fund 120 surgical procedures for children in Kano, Nigeria, including those suffering from serious medical conditions.
Saka has said that his Nigerian heritage makes the initiative particularly meaningful to him.
“I take great pride in my Nigerian roots, so being able to help children there means a great deal to me. I feel incredibly fortunate to be in a position to make a difference,” Saka said, according to the Premier League.
He also encouraged children to continue pursuing their ambitions.
“I remember being their age and having big dreams. The message I want to share is to keep dreaming, believe in yourself, and work hard to achieve your goals.”
Supporting Young People in London
Saka’s charitable work also extends to Ealing, west London, where he grew up.
In 2025, he donated more than 1,000 school uniforms to four local schools, including Greenford High School, where he was a student. The initiative formed part of his commitment to supporting the community that helped shape him.
He also donated more than 100 pairs of football boots to participants at Street Soccer Academy, a nonprofit organization that supports young people experiencing homelessness by providing training and helping them access employment opportunities.
These contributions reflect Saka’s broader ambition to use his platform as a professional athlete to create opportunities for young people facing challenging circumstances.
Saka Speaks Out Against Online Racism
Beyond healthcare and education, Saka has also used his platform to speak out against racism and online abuse.
Following England’s defeat to Italy in the Euro 2020 final in July 2021, Saka, along with teammates Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho, was subjected to racist abuse on social media after missing their penalty attempts. Saka was just 19 years old at the time.
In response, he called on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook to strengthen their efforts to tackle online harassment and hate speech.
“To the social media companies Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook, I don’t want any child or adult to have to endure the hateful messages and abuse that Marcus, Jadon, and I have faced this week,” Saka said in a statement cited by ESPN.
He also expressed disappointment over the social media companies’ failure to do enough to prevent the spread of hateful messages.
In August 2021, police arrested 11 people as part of investigations into alleged hate crimes linked to the online abuse that followed the final.
Saka has emphasized the importance of using his influence to make a positive difference beyond football.
“For me, it is essential to use my abilities to make a positive impact whenever possible,” he said, according to The Borgen Project.
Through his support for children’s healthcare, education, and youth development, as well as his efforts to combat racism, Saka has demonstrated how footballers can use their influence to support communities and drive positive social change.
His recognition at the 2026 Socrates Award highlights the growing importance of humanitarian work in football, showing that a player’s impact can extend far beyond performances on the pitch.
Source : https://en.tempo.co/read/2122442/bukayo-saka-wins-2026-ballon-dor-socrates-award-for-humanitarian-work
