Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka has received the prestigious Sócrates Award during the Ballon d’Or ceremony in recognition of his extensive humanitarian efforts. Established in 2022 and named after the legendary Brazilian footballer, the international accolade honors the professional footballer worldwide who demonstrates exceptional commitment to charitable and social causes.
Saka and his family have maintained long-term collaborations with several charitable organizations, most notably Big Shoe, to deliver targeted medical care and humanitarian relief to vulnerable children and families across London and international communities. Through these coordinated projects, the collaborative efforts have funded emergency housing and secure shelters for families displaced by devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Morocco.
In addition to disaster relief, Saka’s philanthropic outreach has directly impacted the lives of more than 100 children in Nigeria and across the wider African continent. The funding provided by the initiative has enabled transformative surgical procedures that would have otherwise remained financially inaccessible for the families involved.
The Sócrates Award was first presented to Sadio Mane in 2022, marking the beginning of an annual tradition celebrating players who use their platform to drive positive social change. Representatives from Saka’s club expressed public congratulations to the English international following his recognition at the ceremony.
