“I’m letting him freestyle because I trust him,” laughs Bukayo Saka of his barber, as we discuss his preparations for the Ballon d’Or ceremony. It is perhaps the ultimate act of faith ahead of the most glamorous night in football, held in London for the first time in its 70-year history, with Harry Kane and Alexia Putellas taking home the top prizes. But the Arsenal and England winger seems happy to leave the decision in Sheldon Edwards’s capable hands. (The result? Sharp, horizontal cornrows with a taper fade, not dissimilar to the style he’s been sporting on the pitch this season.) Beyond that, there are few other pre-event rituals to report, save for some good music – “Drake and a bit of Afrobeats” – and, of course, settling on an outfit.
For the occasion, the Arsenal number seven has opted for a double-breasted suit from Wales Bonner’s spring/summer 2027 collection and patent leather Christian Louboutin Oxfords, with the help of stylist Cheryl Konteh. Pinned to his peak lapel is a gold-plated Wales Bonner brooch: a miniature feat of craftsmanship incorporating hand-painted beads, rutilated quartz and tiger’s-eye discs, made by artisans in Ghana. It’s the latest sign of Saka’s growing confidence when it comes to fashion. No stranger to the Burberry front row, he’s become increasingly adventurous in his wardrobe. “It’s definitely evolved a lot,” he says. “And I’m not stopping as well.” Given that he rarely wears a suit, the ceremony presented an opportunity to experiment further – and with his wedding to Tolami Benson on the horizon, perhaps good practice, too.
“I’m very happy with it,” says the 25-year-old, a couple of hours before he is due at the London Palladium. “It tells a story, which is exactly what we wanted to do.” The story in question? A tribute to the work of BigShoe, a charity he has supported since 2022, and the communities it serves.
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It is, in fact, the reason for his attendance. At the ceremony, Saka was honoured with the Sócrates Award, presented to him by Burna Boy, which celebrates footballers’s contributions to humanitarian causes and social initiatives. Named after the late Brazilian footballer and activist, the gong recognises the impact players can make beyond the pitch, with previous recipients including Sadio Mané, Vinícius Jr and Jennifer Hermoso. Working alongside BigShoe and his family, Saka has helped children around the world access healthcare – from eye tests and prescription glasses in Rwanda to life-saving operations in Nigeria – as well as shelter in the aftermath of natural disasters, including earthquakes in Turkey and Morocco. In tribute to the latter, he had the colours of both countries’ flags incorporated into the soles of his shoes.
“I’ve always believed in giving back and trying to help others where I can. I just never really do it for the praise or do it in the limelight,” he explains. Though grateful for the recognition, Saka is clear about where his priorities lie. “It’s about the work. It’s about the impact you can make. That’s what is more important to me.” There has certainly been plenty to be grateful for this year: winning the Premier League with Arsenal, representing England at the World Cup, and, of course, that engagement late last year. Even a recent muscle injury has done little to dampen his spirits. “It’s always important to remind yourself how blessed you are. Through the good times, through the bad times, that’s why, tonight, I’m looking forward to it.”