On 26 October 2026, at the London Palladium Theatre, Nigerian singer‑songwriter [Burna Boy](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burna_Boy) stepped onto the stage of the 70th annual [Ballon d’Or](https://www.ballondor.com) ceremony to hand the Sócrates Award to Arsenal and England forward [Bukayo Saka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bukayo_Saka). The presentation marked the first time the global football gala was staged outside France, celebrating the tournament’s 70th anniversary and the legacy of inaugural winner Stanley Matthews.
**Key facts**
- The ceremony took place on 26 October 2026, a historic shift from its traditional French venues.
- The Sócrates Award, named after the Brazilian legend, recognises players for humanitarian work, social activism and community impact beyond football.
- Saka was honoured for his extensive charitable projects that support disadvantaged children across Africa, Europe and Asia.
- Burna Boy used his brief speech to highlight his own football academy, stating it aims to nurture future talents who could one day win the Ballon d’Or themselves.
- The event was broadcast live and later shared on social media platforms, including an Instagram video posted by Linda Ikeji Blog.
**What is the Sócrates Award?**
The Sócrates Award is a special accolade presented alongside the main Ballon d’Or honours. It celebrates footballers who demonstrate exceptional commitment to social causes, mirroring the activism of Brazil’s Sócrates, a midfielder famed for his political engagement in the 1980s.
**Why did Burna Boy present the award?**
Burna Boy, who runs a youth football academy in Lagos, said his involvement was meant to inspire young athletes to combine sporting excellence with community service. He remarked, "When our kids see that success can be measured by how we give back, they will strive for greatness on and off the pitch."
The ceremony also featured the usual award categories—Player of the Year, Women’s Player of the Year and others—while the Sócrates Award added a humanitarian dimension to the night’s celebrations. Attendees included football legends, music icons and senior officials from FIFA and the English Football Association.
The video of the presentation has been widely circulated online, drawing praise from fans who highlighted the synergy between music, sport and social responsibility.
**What does this mean for future Ballon d’Or events?**
Hosting the gala in London may set a precedent for rotating venues, allowing different football‑loving nations to showcase their culture while reinforcing the sport’s global reach. The inclusion of humanitarian awards further signals a growing emphasis on players’ off‑field contributions.
Overall, the night underscored how sport and entertainment can collaborate to promote positive change, with Burna Boy and Bukayo Saka exemplifying that partnership.