Saka was recognised for his charitable initiatives in partnership with his family and BigShoe, a German charity organisation that provides medical assistance to children and families in need.
In 2022, the Arsenal star funded 120 surgical procedures for children in Kano State, Nigeria, where his parents originate. The operations included treatments for hernias and brain tumours.
He expanded the initiative in 2023, funding surgeries for a further 100 children in Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania. The procedures included eye operations aimed at restoring sight.
Beyond healthcare, Saka has also supported emergency housing and shelters for families displaced by devastating earthquakes in Turkey and Morocco.
Established in 2022 by France Football in collaboration with Peace and Sport, the Sócrates Award honours footballers who use their influence and resources to support humanitarian causes and promote social inclusion.
Named after the late Brazilian football legend Sócrates, the award celebrates players whose contributions to society extend beyond the pitch.
Previous recipients include Senegalese forward Sadio Mané, who won the inaugural award in 2022 for his contributions to healthcare and education in his hometown of Bambali; Vinícius Júnior in 2023 for his work in children’s education and his campaign against racism; Jenni Hermoso in 2024; and the Xana Foundation in 2025.
Speaking after receiving the award, Saka dedicated the recognition to the children who had benefited from the charitable initiatives.
He also read a letter from Biringiro, a 14-year-old boy from Rwanda who began losing his sight at the age of 12.
In the letter, Biringiro described how his deteriorating eyesight, combined with the lack of electricity in his village, had made it increasingly difficult to move around his home and carry out everyday activities.
He explained that the eye care provided through BigShoe had restored his ability to see the blackboard in the classroom, enabling him to return to his studies with renewed confidence.
The teenager also shared his hopes for the future, revealing his ambition to become an English teacher.
Saka said he had worked closely with his family and BigShoe to support children who lacked access to essential resources and opportunities.
He described receiving the award on behalf of the children as an honour and acknowledged the positive impact of the charitable initiatives on their lives.
