Nigerian singer, Burna Boy presented the Sócrates Award to Bukayo Saka at the 2026 Ballon D’or ceremony in London.
Burna Boy took the stage at the 70th annual Ballon d’Or ceremony to present Arsenal and England forward Bukayo Saka with the prestigious 2026 Sócrates Award. The music icon used the opportunity to speak about his football academy and how he hopes it produces outstanding players who would win Ballon D’or someday.
The historic event, held on October 26, 2026, at the London Palladium Theatre, marked the first time the global soccer gala was hosted outside of France—arranged in the UK to honor the 70th anniversary of the inaugural winner, England’s Stanley Matthews.
The Sócrates Award honors football players for outstanding humanitarian contributions, social action, and community impact beyond the pitch.
