Arise Sir Harry? PM answers call for Kane knighthood after Ballon d'Or triumph

Speculation spirals over a knighthood for Harry Kane after he became the first Englishman in 25 years to win the coveted Ballon d'Or

The highly-coveted footballing accolade prompted fresh calls for the footballing great to be awarded a knighthood.

Asked whether Mr Burnham had a message for Kane and if the striker should become "Sir Harry”, the PM's official spokeswoman praised the former Tottenham star's achievement.

"Yes, the PM would like to congratulate Harry Kane on winning the Ballon d'Or," she said.

"To be the first Englishman to win it in 25 years is an extraordinary achievement, and what a moment to do it here at home, 70 years after Sir Stanley Matthews won the inaugural award."

Harry Kane and Spain's Alexia Putellas with their player of the year trophies at the London Palladium Theatre

PA

Piling praise on Kane, Downing Street stressed: “It caps a remarkable season and Harry continues to set a brilliant example to young players across the country, and the PM knows the whole nation will be incredibly proud of him.

Pressed whether the Prime Minister, himself a keen footballer, would like to see the player knighted, she added: “On your question about a knighthood, I think everyone would agree, Harry Kane has given an enormous amount to English football, and this is a very special moment for him in the country.

Kane's victory caps a remarkable career that has seen him establish himself as England's all-time leading goalscorer and one of the country's most successful modern footballers.

Harry Kane scores England’s third goal during the UEFA Nations League group phase match against Czechia at Wembley Stadium on October 06

Getty

The Walthamstow-born striker first rose to prominence at Tottenham Hotspur before becoming one of world football's most prolific forwards.

His Ballon d'Or success, beating Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal, places him alongside some of the game's biggest names and marks a landmark moment for English football.

The award had not been won by an English player for a quarter of a century, making Kane's triumph one of the most significant individual honours for a homegrown footballer in a generation.

The Downing Street tribute is likely to add to the debate over whether the England captain should receive a knighthood in recognition of his services to football.

Kane has long been regarded as one of the UK's most admired sporting figures, both for his performances on the pitch and his conduct away from it.

His Ballon d'Or success also comes exactly 70 years after Matthews became the first-ever recipient of the award, adding further flourish to a night that will go down as one of the highlights of Kane's career.

Michael Owen attends the 70th Ballon D'Or Ceremony at the Palladium Theatre in London

For many England fans, the only question now is whether the striker's next triumph is a place on the honours list.

Michael Owen was the last player from England to receive the prestigious individual accolade in 2001 and Kane’s incredible 73-goal haul last season for club and country earned him the award from French magazine France Football.

He followed in the footsteps of Stanley Matthews, Bobby Charlton, Kevin Keegan and Owen as a Ballon d’Or winner from England.