Downing Street has signaled that England captain Harry Kane’s historic Ballon d’Or victory could merit a knighthood, describing the achievement as "extraordinary." Kane became the first English player to win the prestigious individual football award in 25 years, receiving it at a ceremony held Monday night at the London Palladium.

A spokesperson for the prime minister conveyed congratulations on behalf of the government, noting the significance of Kane’s feat as the first English recipient since Michael Owen in 2001. The Ballon d’Or marks a milestone 70 years after the inaugural award went to Sir Stanley Matthews. Kane, who currently plays for Bayern Munich, was praised for setting a strong example for young footballers across the country.

The government also expressed optimism about England’s prospects in the years ahead, referring to the upcoming 2028 European Championship, which England will co-host alongside Scotland, Wales, and the Republic of Ireland. The prime minister’s office hoped the recent individual success might be a precursor to a team victory on home soil.

Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, was noted for sending his own congratulations to Kane. When asked about the possibility of a knighthood for the forward, Downing Street avoided committing to any decision but acknowledged that Kane’s contributions to English football have been substantial. The spokesperson emphasized the usual process by which honours are awarded, which involves recommendations from government departments, the sports community, and private individuals, before approval by the honours committee.

Currently, Kane holds an MBE, awarded following England's semi-final appearance in the 2018 World Cup. While knighthoods are often conferred after a player’s retirement, recent recipients have included former England captain Sir David Beckham and former player and manager Sir Gareth Southgate. Historical recipients among English players include Kevin Keegan and Sir Bobby Charlton, though neither Keegan nor Owen has been knighted.

Kane’s Ballon d’Or win came ahead of his closest rivals, including Kylian Mbappé of Real Madrid and Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal, making him the fifth English player to receive the accolade. The decision will ultimately depend on recommendations to the honours committee, which includes prominent figures such as presenter Sue Barker and Football Foundation chief executive Robert Sullivan.

As of now, no official move has been announced to initiate Kane’s nomination for knighthood, but the recognition at Downing Street underscores the growing momentum behind the idea.