Burna Boy took the stage at the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony in London tonight to present the Socrates Award to Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka. As of 11 pm WAT on October 26, the award recognises Saka’s humanitarian work with the Big Shoe charity.
ESPN and Sporting News confirmed Burna Boy was introduced as a Grammy winner and the king of Afro-fusion before handing over the trophy. Saka’s work has supported surgeries for more than 100 children in Nigeria and across Africa, plus emergency housing after earthquakes in Turkey and Morocco.
The Socrates Award, named after the Brazilian footballer, honours off-pitch impact. Previous winners include Sadio Mané. No Nigerian player made the main Ballon d’Or shortlist this year, making Burna Boy’s appearance the clearest Nigerian entertainment link on the night.