David Beckham could well begin his year with a knighthood after being nominated for the New Year’s Honours List. 

The 38-year-old football ambassador has been named as one of the potential candidates for the Royal accolade, with officials reportedly carrying out standard checks before he is officially confirmed. 

Final approval will be given later this month, with Beckham’s £165 million fortune one of the factors being assessed by officials before he gets the green light. 

A source told The Sun On Sunday: ‘HM Revenue and Customs look at the higher honours – specifically at the high earners like sports people – to see if there is anything they want to double check.’
 

Should his name appear on the Honours List the former England skipper is likely to be reunited with close friend Prince William when he receives his Knighthood at Buckingham Palace in the New Year.  

The two have a forged a close friendship thanks to their various charitable commitments, amongst them WildAid, a campaign to reduce the demand for rhino horns and ivory.

It will also cap a transitional 12-month period for Beckham, who closed the door on his illustrious playing career at the end of last season after winnign the French title with Paris Saint Germain.

The footballer’s likely honour means he will be given the official title Sir, while his fashion designer wife will be ‘Lady Victoria.’ 

Beckham already has an OBE for his services to football, awarded to him in 2003, and the potential knighthood reflects his contribution to football over the last 20-years, as well his various ambassadorial commitments. 

The former winger won six Premier League Titles, two FA Cups and a Champions League winner’s medal with Manchester United before signing for Real Madrid in 2003. 

He would win a Spanish Super Cup and La Liga title before moving to the US in 2007, where he helped Los Angeles Galaxy win two MLS Cups during a successful five year spell. 

Beckham is currently the only English player to have won major honours in four different countries, while the 115 caps he amassed during a nine-year England career make him the most capped outfield player in the national team’s history.