Football awards are often decided by goals, assists, trophies and moments that change matches. But at the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony in London, Bukayo Saka was recognised for a different kind of contribution one measured by the lives his influence has helped change.
The Arsenal and England forward won the 2026 Sócrates Award, which recognises footballers for their humanitarian work and commitment to social causes. Presented as part of the Ballon d’Or ceremony, the honour focuses on what players do beyond the game, acknowledging the potential of their influence to support people in vulnerable situations.
For Saka, that work has reached children needing medical treatment, families displaced by disaster and schoolchildren facing the financial pressures of education.
His recognition places the spotlight on a side of the footballer that cannot be captured by statistics from a match.
A connection to Nigeria drives life-changing support
One of the most significant parts of Saka’s charitable work has been his collaboration with BigShoe, an organisation that helps fund medical treatment for children in need.
Through the partnership, the Arsenal star helped fund 120 surgical operations for children in Nigeria, his parents’ country of origin. The procedures have offered young patients access to treatment for serious medical conditions, including hernias and brain tumours.
Saka has spoken about the personal importance of helping children in Nigeria, connecting the work to his heritage and his own childhood ambitions.
“I’m very proud of my Nigerian heritage, so being able to support children there is very special to me, and I feel very blessed to be able to help them,” he said in comments reported by the Premier League.
He added: “The message I want to convey is: keep dreaming, keep believing and go after your goals.”
The message carries particular significance for children whose ambitions can be constrained by circumstances beyond their control. By helping fund operations, Saka’s contribution has extended beyond encouragement to practical support that can improve young lives.
His Nigerian connection also gives the work a personal dimension, linking his international career to communities that share his family’s roots.
Support for families after the Türkiye earthquake
Saka’s humanitarian work has also reached people affected by natural disasters.
Following the devastating earthquakes that struck Türkiye and neighbouring areas in February 2023, he helped provide housing support for 26 affected families through charitable initiatives linked to BigShoe.
For families forced to confront the loss of homes and the disruption of everyday life, access to accommodation is a fundamental part of rebuilding. The support demonstrated how a footballer’s profile and resources can contribute to relief efforts far removed from the stadium.
The initiative forms part of a wider pattern in Saka’s charitable work: using opportunities created by his career to help people facing difficult circumstances.
Giving back to the community where he grew up
Closer to home, Saka has also supported children in London, where he grew up and developed as a footballer.
In 2025, he donated more than 1,000 school uniforms to children at four schools in Ealing, the part of west London where he was raised. One of the schools was Greenford High School, which he attended.
The donation came at a time when the cost of living was placing pressure on many households. School uniforms are an everyday necessity, but the expense can add to the financial burden facing families with limited resources.
By helping provide uniforms, Saka offered practical assistance to children and parents while reconnecting with the community that shaped his early years.
His support has extended to young people facing other challenges, too. He has donated more than 100 pairs of football boots to participants at Street Soccer Academy, an organisation that works with young adults experiencing homelessness by helping them access training and employment opportunities.
The initiatives show that his charitable work is not confined to a single country or cause. It spans healthcare, housing, education and opportunities for vulnerable young people.
A footballer’s platform carries responsibility
Saka’s work off the pitch has also included speaking against racism and online abuse.
After England’s defeat in the Euro 2020 final, played in July 2021, Saka was subjected to racist abuse alongside teammates Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho after all three missed their penalties in the shootout against Italy.
At just 19, Saka publicly challenged social media platforms over the abuse directed at the players, calling for stronger action to prevent hateful messages from spreading.
That experience added another dimension to his public advocacy, reinforcing his willingness to use his profile to address issues affecting people beyond football.
The Sócrates Award recognises this broader understanding of a footballer’s influence. Established in 2022 by France Football in collaboration with Peace and Sport and the Sócrates family, it honours players whose solidarity initiatives and social commitments make a positive contribution to society.
Recognition beyond goals and trophies
Saka’s award at the Ballon d’Or ceremony is a reminder that a footballer’s legacy can be shaped by more than performances on the pitch.
For Arsenal, he remains a major attacking figure. For England, he is an established international. But the work recognised in London tells another story: one involving children receiving medical treatment, families finding support after disaster and schoolchildren receiving help with everyday necessities.
His collaboration with BigShoe has helped connect his footballing success to humanitarian projects across different communities, including Nigeria, a country with personal significance for him.
The Sócrates Award does not measure goals or assists. It recognises the difference a player can make when the attention and resources that come with professional football are directed towards others.
