Bukayo Saka was named the winner of the Socrates Award at last night’s Ballon d’Or gala in London.
Introduced in 2022, the gong recognises humanitarian and charity work by a footballer. In Saka’s case, it’s his involvement with the BigShoe initiative, which launched in Germany ahead of the 2006 World Cup with the aim of funding operations for young people around the world.
The organisation’s remit has expanded over the last two decades. Saka has helped fund transformative surgeries for children in Africa, as well as emergency housing and shelters for families displaced by earthquakes in Turkey and Morocco.
In Rwanda, he has also provided health check-ups for more than 580 children and health insurance for a further 1,000 people. It’s brilliant work, although it’s hard to ignore the irony: while Saka is helping people access healthcare, Arsenal have received tens of millions of pounds in sponsorship from the Rwandan government. It’s a reminder of how difficult that arrangement, now over, has been to square.
Former Gunners Mesut Ozil and Oleksandr Zinchenko have also been heavily involved with BigShoe.
Saka is the fifth recipient of the Socrates Award. Sadio Mane won the inaugural gong, with the efforts of Vinicius Junior, Jennifer Hermoso and Luis Enrique recognised since.
Accepting the award, Saka read out the words of Biringiro, a 14-year-old from Rwanda whose eyesight had been restored thanks to BigShoe.
He ended by saying: “We know how it feels to be a child and having a ball at your feet and how much joy you have.”
“Every time I have the opportunity to help another kid have that feeling again, that’s important to me.
“It’s an honour to be here, and it’s an honour to receive this award. On behalf of all the children we’ve been able to help, thank you.”
The best bit is that, as a condition of winning, he’s now forced to grow a beard and play with a headband, just like the Brazilian legend after whom the award is named. We look forward to seeing his new look when he’s back from injury.
Arsenal had skin in the game across a number of categories last night, but were ultimately overlooked by the judging panel organised by France Football.
Mikel Arteta lost out to compatriot Luis de la Fuente for Men’s Coach of the Year, David Raya came second to fellow Spaniard Unai Simon for Men’s Goalkeeper of the Year, while Paris Saint-Germain scooped Men’s Club of the Year.
In the men’s Ballon d’Or, William Saliba finished 29th, Gabriel 21st and Declan Rice 15th. The award was won by ex-Gunner Harry Kane, whose tireless promotion of penalties was finally recognised.
Alessia Russo cracked the top 10 in the Women’s Ballon d’Or, while Mariona Caldentey came 13th.
Well done to everyone who was nominated, and a big pat on the back for Saka, who continues to be a tremendous ambassador for the club on and off the pitch.