Ealing-born Bukayo Saka wins Ballon d'Or Socrates Award for charity work

Bukayo Saka, who was born in Ealing and went to school in Greenford, has won the Socrates Award at the 2026 Ballon d'Or. The award recognises what footballers do for society away from the pitch.

The Arsenal and England forward was given the award by the Nigerian singer Burna Boy on Monday 26 October at the London Palladium. It was the first time London had hosted the ceremony in its 70-year history.

It is understood that this is the first time an English player has won the Socrates Award. The prize was introduced in 2022 and is named after the Brazilian midfielder Socrates, who was known for his activism as well as his football.

Work with BigShoe

Much of the work the award recognised has been done through BigShoe, a charity that pays for medical care for children who need it. Through the charity, Saka has funded 120 operations for children in Kano, Nigeria, for conditions including hernias and brain tumours.

After the earthquake in Morocco, he paid for 50 container homes with kitchens and bathrooms in the Al Haouz and Taroudant areas, housing 84 families who had lost their homes. In 2023 he also paid for emergency accommodation for 26 families after the earthquake in Turkey.

In Rwanda, more than 580 children have had health check-ups paid for through his support.

On stage he read out a letter from Biringiro, a 14-year-old boy in Rwanda who was losing his sight until BigShoe paid for his eye care. Saka said he was accepting the award on behalf of the children the charity has helped.

Closer to home

Saka's support has also reached the area where he grew up. Last summer he gave more than 1,000 school uniforms to four schools in Ealing, including Edward Betham Church of England Primary School and Greenford High School, both of which he attended.

He also donated 100 pairs of football boots to Street Soccer Academy, a charity that works with young people facing homelessness.

Before joining Arsenal's academy, Saka played grassroots football in Greenford with Greenford Celtic. He went on to make his first-team debut for Arsenal as a teenager and has become a regular for England.

A London night for the Ballon d'Or

The 70th Ballon d'Or ceremony, run by France Football, was held at the Palladium in the West End. England captain Harry Kane won the men's Ballon d'Or for the first time and Spain's Alexia Putellas won the Ballon d'Or Feminin for the third time.

Saka's award was one of several prizes handed out on the night. Unlike the main prizes, which are decided on performances over the season, the Socrates Award rewards players for their social and charitable projects.

For many in Greenford and across Ealing, the recognition marks a journey from local school pitches and Sunday league football to one of the biggest nights in the sport, with much of the work being honoured having helped children both abroad and in the borough where he grew up.