Burna Boy Makes History At The Ballon d’Or Ceremony

Grammy-winning Nigerian singer Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, popularly known as Burna Boy, has become the first Nigerian artiste to present an award at the Ballon d’Or ceremony.

The singer, popularly known for his hit song Last Last, presented the 2026 Sócrates Award to Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka at the London Palladium on Monday, October 26.

The ceremony marked the 70th edition of the Ballon d’Or awards and the first time the event was held in London.

Organisers moved the ceremony to mark 70 years since England’s Stanley Matthews won the inaugural award in 1956.

Before presenting the award, Burna Boy spoke about his football academy in Nigeria and its aim of supporting the game at home.

“Something I started a few years ago, just to support the football culture back home. Hopefully, inshallah, one day I’ll come back here to see one of my people getting an award in Ballon d’Or,” he said.

The Sócrates Award recognises footballers who use their influence to support humanitarian causes.

Saka, who represents England and has Nigerian heritage, received the honour for his charitable work with BigShoe. The organisation supports medical treatment for children, including operations in Nigeria.

Burna Boy’s appearance at the ceremony came a day after his halftime performance at the NFL Paris game.