Downing Street congratulates Kane after landmark Ballon d’Or win

Downing Street has congratulated Harry Kane after the England captain became the first English player in 25 years to win the men’s Ballon d’Or. According to the Guardian, prime minister Andy Burnham’s spokesperson praised the Bayern Munich forward’s achievement following Monday night’s ceremony at the London Palladium, where Kane finished ahead of Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal.

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Kane is the fifth English player to receive the award and the first since Michael Owen in 2001. The other English winners are Stanley Matthews, Bobby Charlton and Kevin Keegan. His success came 70 years after Matthews won the inaugural award, a milestone highlighted by the prime minister’s spokesperson while congratulating the England captain on his season.

Number 10 also praised Kane’s example to young footballers and said the country would be proud of his achievement. The spokesperson expressed hope that his individual success would be followed by a trophy with England. The Guardian linked those remarks to the 2028 European Championship, which England will co-host with Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland.

Asked whether Burnham would support a knighthood for Kane, the spokesperson acknowledged his contribution to English football but declined to anticipate the honours process. No knighthood was announced. Kane already holds an MBE, which he received after England reached the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup, and the latest remarks did not change his existing honour.

The prime minister does not personally decide whether Kane receives a knighthood, the Guardian reported. Ministers and government departments can submit recommendations to the honours committee, as can members of the public. The sport committee includes broadcaster Sue Barker and Football Foundation chief executive Robert Sullivan. That process remains separate from the Ballon d’Or result and the congratulations issued by Downing Street.

The report noted that footballers are often knighted only after retirement. Former England captain David Beckham and former England player and manager Gareth Southgate received knighthoods last year. Owen and Keegan have not received that honour despite their Ballon d’Or wins. Kane’s confirmed distinction is now his place alongside them in the small group of English players to have won the award.