England striker Harry Kane is the leading contender for the World Cup’s Golden Boot award, but he might also be in line for a much more prestigious honor. British oddsmakers believe the team’s captain is under serious consideration to being knighted.
Several betting sites have slashed the odds of his receiving the title of Sir by the Queen by 2020. He was a 10/1 pick by SkyBet, before the team’s victory over Colombia in the Round of 16. Afterwards they dropped the odds to 5/1. Paddy Power had Kane at 16/1, but lowered it to 10/1.
Oddschecker spokesperson George Elek said action on the possible distinction has risen since the team’s thrilling victory over Colombia that advanced them to the quarterfinals.
“Bookmakers have halved odds on a certain Sir Harry rising to prominence before 2020,” Elek said. “Another influential performance for the Three Lions last night has seen bookies take no chances and cut odds on what would be quite the fairytale.”
Kane will have to wait if any title is bestowed on him. Knighthoods, and Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE), are announced on January 1, and the second Monday in June, when Queen Elizabeth II celebrates her birthday.
Gareth Southgate Could Be First
There have been eight players on England’s national team to receive knighthoods, and the entire lineup from the 1966 World Cup championship team (they beat West Germany 4-2 in extra time) received the MBE. But most footballers receiving British royal orders and decorations were bestowed the honor after their careers had finished.
If the 24-year-old Kane were knighted by 2020, he would be only the second of nine to get the title why still a player.
Talk of Kane’s receiving knighthood has been around for nearly three years. In 2016, there were calls for Kane to get nominated after he led the team to the Round of 16 in the Euro Cup. Ladbrokes had him at 50/1, and watched it fall to as low as 20/1.
Someone who may get there before Kane is manager Gareth Southgate. Paddy Power had the national team’s skipper being knighted at 250/1 before the start of the World Cup. and since have dropped to 5/1.
English soccer fans have been calling for the 47-year-old to received the honor. After the Colombia victory, Twitter was flooded with hundreds of people calling for him to received the title.
Dan Wade tweeted: “Can we just knight Gareth Southgate now?” Gracious Jenkins posted: “Sir Gareth Southgate. Win it or not. He is the ultimate gentleman and ambassador for humanity. Knight that guy!”
Consolation Prizes?
A more likely scenario is that the team would receive MBE status if they were to win the World Cup, like the 1966 team.
The English squad is also in the running for the Sports Personality Team of the Year Award, handed out by the BBC. Paddy Power has them at 1/5 to win that
Kane is also a favorite to take home the Sports Personality of the Year Award. He is listed at 8/11.
