Afrobeats star Burna Boy has added another historic moment to his career, becoming the first Nigerian artist to present an award at the Ballon d’Or ceremony, football’s most prestigious individual awards night.
The Grammy-winning singer handed the 2026 Sócrates Award to Arsenal and England forward Bukayo Saka at the London Palladium on Monday night. It was the 70th edition of the Ballon d’Or and the first time the ceremony was held in London.
Saka Honoured for Charity Work in Africa
The Sócrates Award, named after the late Brazilian footballer and activist Sócrates, recognises players for their humanitarian and social work off the pitch.
Saka, who is of Nigerian descent, was honoured for his BigShoe charity work, which has funded life-changing surgeries for children in Nigeria, Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania. Having a Nigerian superstar present the award to a player with Nigerian roots made the moment especially meaningful for fans back home.
Burna Boy was introduced on stage by the evening’s hosts, broadcaster Kate Scott and Arsenal legend Thierry Henry.
“One Day I’ll Come Back Here to See One of My People”
In his remarks, Burna Boy spoke about the football academy he has set up in Nigeria to help young talent develop. “Hopefully, inshallah, one day I’ll come back here to see one of my people getting an award in the Ballon d’Or,” he said, according to allAfrica.
His words struck a chord with Nigerian football fans. No Nigerian player has ever won the Ballon d’Or. Liberia’s George Weah remains the only African to win the men’s award, which he did in 1995.
A Big Year for Burna Boy and Football
The appearance caps a year in which Burna Boy has been closely linked with global football. Sports Illustrated noted that he performed alongside Shakira at World Cup matches over the summer. At the Ballon d’Or, he was among a host of celebrities on the red carpet, including actor Sophie Turner, rapper French Montana and singer Jorja Smith.
For many Nigerians, seeing the “African Giant” on one of football’s biggest stages is a reminder of how far Afrobeats has travelled, from Lagos clubs to the world’s top sporting events.
Why It Matters
Burna Boy’s role at the Ballon d’Or shows how closely music and football are now linked, and how Nigerian culture has become part of the global mainstream. It also puts a spotlight on grassroots football in Nigeria, where artists like Burna Boy are investing in academies in the hope of producing the country’s first Ballon d’Or winner.
Sources: allAfrica, Sports Illustrated. Image: Wikimedia Commons (file photo).