As the world’s attention turns to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, two of football’s biggest stars share more than international ambitions. Sadio Mané and Vinicius Junior, representing Senegal and Brazil respectively, are the first two winners of the Sócrates Award, created by Peace and Sport in partnership with the L’Équipe Group to recognize footballers whose commitment extends far beyond the pitch.
Inspired by the legacy of Brazilian football legend Sócrates, the award celebrates players who use their influence to create lasting social impact. At a time when football reaches billions of people around the globe, the Socrates Award embodies a simple conviction: great champions are also agents of change.
Sadio Mané: giving back to his roots
The inaugural winner in 2022, Sadio Mané has long demonstrated that success is measured not only by trophies but also by the opportunities created for others.
In his hometown of Bambali, Senegal, Mané has financed the construction of a hospital, a secondary school and numerous community projects. He has also supported youth football, particularly for girls, and contributed significantly to Senegal’s response during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Receiving the first Sócrates Award, Mané declared:
“I want my people to receive a little of what life has given me.”
His commitment reflects a vision of football as a vehicle for education, health and equal opportunity.
Vinicius Jr. : fighting racism through education
One year later, the Sócrates Award recognized another young leader.
At just 23 years old, Vinicius Jr. had already become much more than one of the world’s most exciting footballers. Frequently targeted by racist abuse, the Brazilian chose not only to denounce discrimination but also to transform his voice into action.
Through the Instituto Vini Jr., he works to improve access to quality education in Brazil by developing innovative digital learning solutions for children in public schools, helping reduce educational inequalities exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
His message has resonated far beyond football.
We must raise our voices, always a little more and together.
His courage has inspired players across the world to speak out against racism while investing in the next generation.
More than football
The presence of Sadio Mané and Vinicius Junior at the 2026 FIFA World Cup is a reminder that football’s greatest victories are not always decided on the field.
The Sócrates Award celebrates a new generation of footballers who understand that influence comes with responsibility. Heroes and role models for millions of young people, they use their platform to advance education, inclusion, health and equal opportunities.
Beyond recognizing outstanding commitments, the Sócrates Award aims to inspire others to act. By showcasing meaningful initiatives led by footballers around the world, it encourages more players to embrace their social responsibility and use the power of football to create lasting positive change.
As the tournament unfolds, their performances will undoubtedly capture headlines. But their greatest legacy may well be the lives they continue to change long after the final whistle.
Because the true measure of a champion is not only what they achieve in football—but what they inspire others to achieve beyond it.
