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Arise, Sir Harry? Downing Street hints at Kane knighthood after Ballon d’Or win
The Guardian • • general
Key Points:
- Downing Street praised Harry Kane’s "extraordinary achievement" as the first Englishman in 25 years to win the Ballon d’Or, suggesting he deserves a knighthood for his contribution to English football.
- Kane, who plays for Bayern Munich, received the award at the London Palladium, beating contenders Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal, becoming the fifth English player to win the prestigious individual football award.
- The Prime Minister’s office expressed hope that Kane’s success would be followed by an England trophy win, referencing the upcoming Euro 2028 tournament co-hosted by the UK and Ireland.
- While there is public and official support for Kane to receive a knighthood, the honours process remains formal and typically awards such honours post-retirement, as seen with former players like David Beckham and Gareth Southgate.
- Kane currently holds an MBE from 2018, and although some former English football greats like Michael Owen and Kevin Keegan have not been knighted, recommendations for honours can come from ministers, committees, or private individuals.
