Arsenal and England football star Bukayo Saka has won the 2026 Sócrates Award for his humanitarian work with children and families. During the Ballon d’Or ceremony in London on October 26, Saka shared the story of a 14-year-old boy from Rwanda whose eyesight improved after receiving care through the charity BigShoe.
The award was presented to Saka by Nigerian music star Burna Boy. The Sócrates Award recognises people in football who make a positive difference through humanitarian and social work.
During his acceptance speech, Saka read a message from the young Rwandan boy, who explained how losing his sight had affected his daily life. He said that his village had no electricity and that, as his eyesight became worse, even moving around his home became difficult.
The boy said the care he received through BigShoe helped him read the classroom blackboard again, even from the back of the room. He also shared his hope of becoming an English teacher one day.
“I can enjoy being a child again,” the boy said in the message read by Saka. He added that he felt excited about his future for the first time in a long time.
Saka said helping children experience the joy of childhood was important to him. He spoke about how playing with a ball can bring happiness to a child and said he was honoured to receive the award on behalf of the children the charity had helped.
The footballer and his family have worked with BigShoe on projects that provide medical care and support to children in need. The partnership has included funding medical operations for children in Africa, according to published reports.
The moment brought attention to the difference access to healthcare can make in a child’s life. For the young boy from Rwanda, improved eyesight has helped him take part in school again and look ahead to his dream of becoming a teacher.
