The Xana Foundation has been honored with the prestigious Socrates Prize, presented during the Ballon d’Or ceremony organized by France Football magazine. Sira Martínez, trustee of the Xana Foundation, accepted the award from Princess Charlene of Monaco in one of the most emotional moments of the gala, held at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. “I would like to thank the organization for giving us this award, and we celebrate the visibility it brings us. Thank you very much. In my family, we believe that Xana is with us spiritually. I am convinced that she is very proud of us and of the way we help people,” said Sira Martínez in her heartfelt acceptance speech.

The Socrates Prize, introduced at the Ballon d’Or ceremony in 2022 by France Football, recognizes footballers who lead outstanding social and solidarity initiatives. This award, which honors the memory of legendary Brazilian footballer Socrates, is given to players committed to causes such as social inclusion, environmental development, or assistance to vulnerable communities.

Unlike other prizes, the Socrates Prize does not carry a direct financial reward. Its value lies in the symbolic recognition and the prestige associated with the social commitment of the winner. In previous editions, footballers such as Sadio Mané, Vinicius Jr., and Jenni Hermoso have been recognized with this award for their work in solidarity projects and their fight against discrimination in sport.