Nigerian singer Burna Boy has introduced the 2026 Socrates Award to Arsenal ahead Bukayo Saka on the Ballon d’Or ceremony in London.
The Grammy-winning singer introduced the honour on Monday evening after talking about his efforts to help soccer improvement in Nigeria by way of a soccer academy he established a couple of years in the past.
Burna Boy mentioned he hoped the initiative would assist nurture Nigerian skills able to incomes worldwide recognition.
“Something I started a few years ago, just to support the football culture back home. Hopefully, inshallah, one day I’ll come back here to see one of my people getting an award in Ballon d’Or,” he mentioned.
Saka acquired the award for his charitable work with BigShoe, an organisation that gives medical help to kids in want.
Through his help for the organisation, the Arsenal ahead has helped kids entry life-changing medical therapy, together with surgical procedures to revive their sight.
The recognition highlights the function footballers can play in humanitarian work by utilizing their affect and assets to enhance lives past the pitch.
Saka, an England worldwide of Nigerian heritage, has established himself as one in every of Arsenal’s key gamers whereas additionally attracting consideration for his charitable actions.
The Socrates Award was established in 2022 by France Football in collaboration with Peace and Sport. It is called after the late Brazilian footballer Sócrates, who was broadly recognized for his social activism alongside his soccer profession.
The award recognises footballers who use their affect, assets and public standing to help humanitarian causes and make a distinction of their communities.
Previous recipients embrace Senegalese ahead Sadio Mané, Brazilian winger Vinícius Júnior and Spanish footballer Jenni Hermoso.
In 2025, the honour went to the Xana Foundation, established by Paris Saint-Germain supervisor Luis Enrique in reminiscence of his daughter.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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