Number 10 praises Kane's award
Downing Street has indicated that Harry Kane may be a candidate for a knighthood, describing the England captain's Ballon d'Or victory as an extraordinary feat. The prime minister's spokesperson said Andy Burnham had sent congratulations to Kane, who was named the men's winner of football's leading individual prize at a ceremony on Monday night. Number 10 added that it hoped the honour would be followed by a trophy to celebrate with England before too long, a reference to the country's co-hosting of the European Championship in 2028 alongside Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland.[S1][S2][S3][S4][S6][S8]
The Bayern Munich forward is the first Englishman to take the award since Michael Owen in 2001. The spokesperson said the prime minister wanted to congratulate Kane, calling him the first English winner in 25 years and noting the significance of the moment coming at home. The spokesperson also recalled that the inaugural award went to Sir Stanley Matthews 70 years ago, said Kane's season had been remarkable, described him as a fine example to young players nationwide, and predicted the country would feel immense pride.[S1]
Honours process left open
Asked whether Burnham would like Kane to be knighted, the spokesperson said everyone would accept that Kane has contributed a great deal to English football and that this is a special moment for him and for the country, but added that the honours process would not be pre-empted. Burnham himself cannot grant a knighthood; ministers and government departments may put recommendations to the honours committee, and members of the public can do so as well. The sport committee includes the presenter Sue Barker and Robert Sullivan, chief executive of the Football Foundation.[S1]
Kane already holds an MBE, which he received after England reached the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup. Footballers are frequently not knighted until after they retire. Sir David Beckham, the former England captain, was knighted last year, as was Sir Gareth Southgate, the former England player and manager. Before those two, the most recent award went to the former Scotland player and Liverpool manager Sir Kenny Dalglish. Owen, another former Liverpool player, has not been knighted, and neither has Keegan, the ex-Newcastle player and manager who also captained and managed England.[S1]
London MPs join the calls
The suggestion from Downing Street follows public pressure from London members of parliament, who have led appeals for Kane to be honoured after his Ballon d'Or triumph. The award was presented at the London Palladium on Monday night, where Kane finished ahead of Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappé and Barcelona's Lamine Yamal. He becomes the fifth English player to win the prize, a group that also includes Kevin Keegan and Sir Bobby Charlton.[S1][S5][S7]
