Saka receives 2026 Socrates Award for humanitarian work

Bukayo Saka received the 2026 Socrates Award for humanitarian work at the Ballon d'Or ceremony held at the London Palladium on Monday.

• The Arsenal winger was honored during the 2026 Ballon d'Or gala at the London Palladium theatre.
• Saka funded 120 surgeries in 2022 with charity BigShoe for children in Kano, northern Nigeria, for conditions including hernias and brain tumors.
• Saka said he feels fortunate to be positioned to help improve children's lives, citing his Nigerian heritage and desire to make a positive impact there.
• The award, launched in 2022 and named for late Brazilian player Socrates, is presented by L'Equipe group alongside Peace and Sport.