Bukayo Saka Wins the 2026 Socrates Award for Humanitarian Work

Saka honoured for work off the pitch

Bukayo Saka has won the 2026 Socrates Award at the Ballon d'Or ceremony in London. The prize, named after the legendary Brazilian footballer and activist Socrates, ignores on-pitch performance to instead recognise the best solidarity and social actions carried out by committed players and football organisations.

A record of giving back

The Arsenal and England forward has been recognised for his charitable work, including efforts with the international charity BigShoe, which funds life-changing medical treatment for children. Saka, 25, has been charity-minded since the earliest years of his professional career.

Presented on a special night

Nigerian music star Burna Boy presented the award. Saka made his way to the stage with a visible limp, with reports suggesting he faces a spell on the sidelines, a reminder of the physical demands he continues to shoulder for club and country even as he is celebrated for his work beyond football.

Following notable predecessors

The Socrates Award has previously gone to figures and causes including Sadio Mane, Vinicius Junior, Jenni Hermoso and the Xana Foundation. Saka joins that list as a player widely regarded within the game as one of its good citizens.

An English presence on the night

Saka's award was part of a strong night for English football, headlined by Harry Kane's men's Ballon d'Or. It underscored a ceremony that, fittingly for its first staging in London, featured several English winners and honourees.

About the Socrates Award

The Socrates Award was introduced in 2022 and honours players or organisations for their humanitarian and social work. It is named after Socrates, the cerebral Brazil captain of the 1982 World Cup who was also a qualified doctor and a prominent campaigner for democracy. Previous recipients include Sadio Mane, Vinicius Junior and Jenni Hermoso.

The bottom line

The Socrates Award celebrates football's social conscience, and Bukayo Saka's recognition highlights the real-world impact players can have beyond the pitch. For Arsenal and England, it is a point of genuine pride on a memorable evening in London.

Related on Skillo

See also: Ballon d'Or 2026 live: Harry Kane wins in London, Ballon d'Or 2026: the full winners list.

Sources

• Ballon d'Or official winners (ballondor.com)
• 2026 Ballon d'Or - Wikipedia (full rankings)
• Ballon d'Or 2026 live updates: Kane, Putellas headline winners (NBC Sports)

Published date reflects the original event date (2026-10-26). This article is original Skillo editorial written from the sources above; facts were verified in September 2026.