Real Madrid and Brazil winger Vinicius Junior won the 2023 Socrates Award at Monday's Ballon d'Or Ceremony in Paris.
The prize - which was created to acknowledge footballers for their humanitarian work - was won by Sadio Mane in 2022.
In 2021, Vinicius set up the Instituto Vini Jr - an organization which aims to use technology and sport to educate young Brazilians and to help make Brazil a more equal place.
Vinicius has been subjected to countless instances of racist abuse during his career in Spain and he was encouraged to speak about the subject by Didier Drogba, who was hosting Monday's awards ceremony.
Drogba told Vinicius: "Thank you for what you are doing for the less fortunate kids. It makes me really, really proud.
"But I want to talk about something that makes be prouder. It's your fight against racism.
"You have experienced it way too many times as a player and I would like you to use the Ballon d'Or ceremony as a platform to send a strong message to the world, please."
Speaking in Portuguese, Vinicius then said: "It is important to be together and fight racism.
"I would like to thank all the great players here who help us to fight."
The short speech was greeted with loud applause before Drogba added: "Vinicius, you are not alone in this fight.
"It has been going on for too long, way too long, and I would like to urge football authorities and governments to act.
"It is time for real actions to eradicate racism, not only in stadiums, but everywhere in the world."
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