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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 Last Last singer presented the 2026 Sócrates Award to Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka at the London Palladium on Monday, October 26, during the 70th edition of the Ballon d’Or, the first to be 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.
The Pittsburgh Steelers faced the New Orleans Saints at Stade de France on October 25. It was the NFL’s first regular-season game in France.
In July, Burna Boy performed with Shakira at the first FIFA World Cup final halftime show.
They performed “Dai Dai”, the tournament’s official song.
The singer has also performed at major sporting events, including the 2023 NBA All-Star Game and the UEFA Champions League final kickoff show.
He won the Grammy for Best Global Music Album in 2021 for Twice As Tall. He has since earned seven consecutive Grammy nominations.
Burna Boy rose to prominence in 2012 with “Like to Party”, the lead single from his debut album, L.I.F.E, released in 2013.
His later albums include African Giant, Twice As Tall, Love, Damini, I Told Them and No Sign of Weakness.
Adekunle Gold also attended the Ballon d’Or ceremony. The singer, whose real name is Adekunle Kosoko, was photographed arriving on the red carpet.
He shared his reaction on Instagram, writing, “I prayed for this all my life”. He also announced a performance at the event’s after-party in London.
Guardian Life has previously covered Adekunle Gold’s rise in music.
England captain Harry Kane won the men’s Ballon d’Or, beating Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal. Kane became the first English player to win the award since Michael Owen in 2001.
