Bukayo Saka has won the Socrates Award at the Ballon d’Or ceremony, and the Saka Socrates Award triumph celebrates his work away from the pitch. The prize recognises his tireless humanitarian efforts.
The honour came on a night when London hosted the 70th edition of the Ballon d’Or awards. Plenty of Arsenal players walked the red carpet at the London Palladium.
What Is the Socrates Award?
The award is named after the legendary Brazilian footballer Sócrates. It goes to the footballer who has done the best humanitarian work anywhere in the world.
It was first presented in 2022, when Sadio Mane became the inaugural winner. Saka now joins him on that list.
The Charity Work Behind the Saka Socrates Award
Saka and his family have worked with several charities over the years. That includes long-term projects with Big Shoe.
Those projects provide medical care and humanitarian aid for children and families in need. The support reaches people in London and around the world.
Helping Families After Disaster
The family’s work has also funded emergency housing and shelters. These went to families displaced by the devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Morocco.
Life-Changing Surgeries for Children
The charity work has also helped more than 100 children in Nigeria and across Africa. They received transformative surgeries that would otherwise have been out of reach.
Arsenal congratulated Saka on what the club called an incredible achievement.
Arsenal’s Nominees at the Ballon d’Or
Eight Arsenal players were up for awards across the men’s and women’s teams. Saka’s honour was one highlight among several nominations.
Men’s Ballon d’Or Results
Declan Rice, Gabriel and William Saliba represented Arsenal after a stellar season. Here is how they finished:
- Declan Rice: 15th, the highest-placed Gunner
- Gabriel: 21st
- William Saliba: 29th
Women’s Ballon d’Or Results
Mariona Caldentey and Alessia Russo were Arsenal’s two nominees for the Ballon d’Or Féminin. Both were nominated after helping the club win the FIFA Women’s Champions Cup earlier this year.
Caldentey finished second in 2025 and the club’s source places Russo third that year. This time, the Spanish midfielder placed 13th, while Russo finished ninth. Alexis Putellas won the top honour for the third time in her career.
Raya, Arteta and the Club Nominations
David Raya was nominated for the Yashin Trophy, which goes to the best goalkeeper. Fellow Spaniard Unai Simon won it.
Mikel Arteta was in the running for Men’s Coach of the Year. Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente took that award.
Arsenal Honored as Club of the Year Nominee
Arsenal were also nominated for Men’s Club of the Year. It was the third time in the club’s history they earned that nomination.
The nod followed a season in which Arsenal won the Premier League for the first time since 2004. They also reached the UEFA Champions League final. PSG were given the honour.
A Night to Remember for Arsenal
Arsenal did not take home the major trophies, but the evening still ended on a high. The Saka Socrates Award stood out as a reminder that football’s biggest stars can make a difference far beyond the game.
For Saka, the recognition rewards years of quiet work with children and families in need.