Arsenal and England forward Bukayo Saka don win di 2026 Socrates Award for im humanitarian work, and na Nigerian music star Burna Boy present am di trophy for di Ballon d'Or ceremony wey hold for London on Monday, October 26.
Di honour na one award wey dem dey give footballers wey use dia influence and resources to support humanitarian causes and promote social inclusion outside di pitch. France Football set am up for 2022 with Peace and Sport, and dem name am after late Brazilian footballer Sócrates.
Saka collect di award because of im work with BigShoe, one organisation wey dey provide medical assistance to children wey need am. Di Arsenal man support don help children get treatment wey change dia life, including surgery to restore sight.
After e receive di honour, di 24-year-old thank France Football and yan say: “I would like to thank France Football for the opportunity to be here. Keep raising awareness of these causes that are close to my heart.” E add: “For me, it is an honour to be here and an honour to receive this award. On behalf of all the children, we have been able to help. Thank you.”
Before e present di award, Burna Boy tok about di football academy wey e start for Nigeria. “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,” na wetin di singer talk.
Oda players don collect dis same Socrates Award before now. Senegal forward Sadio Mané, Brazilian winger Vinícius Júnior and Spanish footballer Jenni Hermoso dey di list. For 2025, na Xana Foundation, wey Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique set up in memory of im daughter, collect am.
But di celebration for London no dey hide one worry wey dey Arsenal. BBC report on Friday, October 23 say di club dey fear say Saka fit be out for two months because of injury. Sky Sports also look at how Arsenal go cope without am, and di report name Noni Madueke and Max Dowman as players wey fit get more minutes while di forward dey out.
