The Socrates Award is an annual football award to acknowledge humanitarian work by a champion footballer. The award was named after the Brazilian legendary football player and doctor, Sócrates Brasileiro Sampaio de Souza Vieira de Oliveira, commonly known as just 'Socrates'.

football playersThe award acknowledges humanitarian work by a champion footballer

The Socrates Award was first presented in 2022, one of the awards at the Ballon d'Or gala presentation night. The voting panel was composed of six members – Rai (former captain, PSG and Seleção), Sóstenes (General Director, Gol de Letra Foundation), Joël Bouzou (President-Founder, Peace and Sport), Jean-Jérôme Perrin-Mortier (General Director of Peace and Sport), Jérôme Cazadieu (Editorial Director, L'Equipe and France Football) and Pascal Ferré (Editor-in-Chief, France Football).

The Namesake

Sócrates was a Brazilian footballer, medical doctor, and political activist who used his platform to advocate for democracy during Brazil's military dictatorship.

Selection Process

Winners are chosen by a panel of six experts from sport, media, and humanitarian organizations, ensuring diverse perspectives on social impact.

Award Criteria

Recipients must demonstrate significant humanitarian efforts, community development initiatives, or advocacy for social causes alongside their football achievements.

Award Winners and Their Impact

Sadio Mané - Inaugural Winner

The inaugural winner in 2022 was former Liverpool forward and current Al-Nassr player Sadio Mané. A champion on and off the field, Mané received his award in honor of his humanitarian work in his native Senegal, which included funding a school and hospital in his hometown of Bambali. Mané was also runner up in the 2022 Ballon d'Or.

Mané's contributions extend beyond infrastructure development. He has provided monthly financial support to families in his village, funded the construction of a petrol station and post office, and donated laptops to students. His commitment to improving healthcare access in rural Senegal has saved countless lives, with the hospital he funded serving thousands of patients annually.

Vinícius Júnior - 2023 Socrates Award Winner

Real Madrid and Brazil star striker Vinícius Júnior received the 2023 Sócrates Award in recognition of his dedication to social justice and education.  In order to give young people more access to information and growth chances, he established projects through his Instituto Vini Jr. aimed at delivering digital tools and resources to students in Brazilian public schools.

Vinícius has been a well-known voice in the worldwide struggle against racism in addition to his work in education.  In addition to encouraging young players to proudly accept their identities, he has utilized his platform to draw attention to discrimination in football and demand accountability from institutions.

Jennifer Hermoso - 2024 Socrates Award Winner

Jennifer Hermoso didn't just win the 2024 Sócrates Award—she earned it through one of football's most difficult moments. When Spanish Federation President Luis Rubiales forcibly kissed her after Spain won the 2023 Women's World Cup, what should have been pure celebration became something else entirely. Instead of staying quiet, Hermoso spoke up, transforming an unwanted kiss witnessed by millions into a watershed moment for women's sports.

She became the face of a movement she never asked to lead, using the global spotlight to push for real change in how female athletes are treated and protected. Her message was simple but powerful: consent matters, whether you're on the street or standing on FIFA's biggest stage. Through interviews, statements, and her continued presence in football, she's given voice to experiences that too often go unheard in the sporting world.

The Xana Foundation - Current Winner

The 2025 Sócrates Award was given to the Xana Foundation, which supports teenagers and young adults with life-threatening illnesses and their families. 

The foundation was established by Luis Enrique, the coach of Paris Saint-Germain, in honour of his daughter Xana, who died of a rare type of bone cancer in 2019 at the age of nine.  It aims to increase awareness of the difficulties these kids encounter in addition to offering impacted families practical and emotional support.

The Xana Foundation's ability to turn personal tragedy into a source of hope for others is what gives it such significance. The football community acknowledges the foundation's humanitarian impact and the significance of providing care outside of the field, to affected families.

The Legacy of Sócrates

The award's namesake, Sócrates Brasileiro Sampaio de Souza Vieira de Oliveira, was more than just a footballer. As captain of Brazil's legendary 1982 World Cup team, he combined elegant play with intellectual depth, earning a medical degree while playing professionally. Sócrates co-founded the Corinthians Democracy movement in the 1980s, which gave players voting rights in club decisions and became a symbol of resistance against Brazil's military dictatorship.

"The Socrates Award represents the best of what football can be - a force for positive change in society. Each winner demonstrates that success on the pitch can be a platform for transforming lives off it."
— Rai, Former PSG Captain and Socrates Award Voting Panel Member

Selection Criteria and Process

The Socrates Award distinguishes itself from other football honors by focusing exclusively on humanitarian and social impact. The six-member voting panel evaluates candidates based on several key criteria:

  • Community Impact: Direct positive effects on local or global communities through charitable work, infrastructure development, or social programs.
  • Advocacy and Awareness: Using their platform to highlight important social issues and drive meaningful change.
  • Personal Commitment: Demonstrating sustained, personal involvement in humanitarian causes beyond financial contributions.
  • Innovation: Creating new approaches to addressing social challenges through sport.
  • Inspirational Leadership: Serving as role models for other athletes and young people worldwide.

The award ceremony takes place during the prestigious Ballon d'Or gala, ensuring maximum visibility for the humanitarian efforts of football's social champions. This placement alongside football's most coveted individual honors elevates the importance of social responsibility in the sport.

Pro Tip: Many professional footballers establish foundations or charitable initiatives during their careers. Following these organizations on social media provides insights into ongoing humanitarian projects and opportunities to support meaningful causes in sports.

Impact Beyond Individual Recognition

The Socrates Award has catalyzed a broader movement within football to recognize and celebrate social responsibility. Since its inception, the award has inspired increased media coverage of players' humanitarian efforts, encouraged young athletes to engage in community service, and prompted football organizations to integrate social impact into their evaluation of sporting excellence.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Socrates Award in football?

The Socrates Award is an annual football award presented at the Ballon d'Or ceremony to acknowledge the humanitarian work spearheaded by a leading footballer. The current winner of the award is the Xana Foundation, hailed for their efforts to assist families and teenagers facing life threatening illnesses.

Who won the first Socrates Award?

Sadio Mané won the inaugural Socrates Award in 2022 for his humanitarian work in Senegal, including funding a school and hospital in his hometown of Bambali. He has also provided ongoing financial support to families in his village and funded essential infrastructure projects.

Why is it called the Socrates Award?

The award is named after Brazilian footballer Sócrates Brasileiro Sampaio de Souza Vieira de Oliveira, who was both a medical doctor and political activist. He used his platform to advocate for democracy during Brazil's military dictatorship and co-founded the Corinthians Democracy movement.

How are Socrates Award winners selected?

Winners are chosen by a six-member voting panel comprising representatives from sports, media, and humanitarian organizations. The panel evaluates candidates based on community impact, advocacy work, personal commitment to causes, innovation in addressing social challenges, and inspirational leadership.

Can female footballers win the Socrates Award?

Yes, the Socrates Award is open to all footballers regardless of gender. Jennifer Hermoso became the first female recipient in 2024, winning for her advocacy against sexual abuse and her work promoting respect and consent in sports.