Nigerian singer Burna Boy has become the first Nigerian to present an award at the Ballon d’Or ceremony, after handing the 2026 Sócrates Award to England footballer Bukayo Saka in London.
The singer, whose real name is Damini Ebunoluwa Ogulu, presented the award on Monday, October 26, at the Palladium Theatre in London, United Kingdom.
Before presenting the award, Burna Boy spoke about his football academy and expressed hope that one of its players would eventually be recognised at the prestigious football ceremony.
“Hopefully, inshallah, one day I’ll come back here to see one of my people getting an award in Ballon d’Or,” he said.
Burna Boy attended the event following his halftime performance at the 2026 National Football League event in Paris, according to the report.
His appearance at the ceremony adds to his participation in major international sporting events. He has also performed alongside Colombian singer Shakira at the FIFA World Cup final, as reported by the publication.
Journalists reported that Burna Boy launched his football academy in Lagos in August 2024. His remarks at the ceremony highlighted his ambition to see players from the academy earn recognition on the international stage.
