Terry demands 9 England football legends receive honours - and Neville responds

Former Chelsea captain John Terry named a strong nine-man list including Manchester United duo Rio Ferdinand and Gary Neville, as players he feels should be honoured for their services to football in the Queen's New Year honours list.

Seven-time Olympic gold medallist Jason Kenny was made a knight, while his wife — five-time Olympic gold medallist Laura Kenny — was made a dame.

British Tennis sensation and US Open champion Emma Raducanu was awarded the MBE in this years' honours list, after becoming the first-ever qualifier to win the prestigious Grand Slam.

Meanwhile, Chelsea women manager Emma Hayes, who guided her side to a fourth WSL title and the Champions League final, was awarded an OBE for her services to football.

But Terry, who is set to begin a role with Chelsea's academy in the near future, reacted to the news by questioning the lack of recognition from some of England and the Premier League 's most successful players.

"Can someone explain why Gary Neville, Phil Neville, Paul Scholes, Ashley Cole, Nicky Butt, Rio Ferdinand, Sol Campbell, Jamie Carragher, Wayne Rooney, have never been honoured for their services to football?" Terry asked on Twitter.

"We are talking the BEST of the BEST EVER."

Surprisingly, Sky Sports pundit Neville swiftly responded to the England captain's question on social media, stating bluntly that he would not be interested in the honour.

"I don't think I'm anywhere near (receiving recognition in the Honours list) but I'd rather have a most improved player award for a Sunday team than an award of this lot," Neville said.

Neville's response is hardly surprising as the 46-year-old has been a fierce critic of the Conservative government over the last few years, rarely missing an opportunity to call them out on social media or TV.

HAVE YOUR SAY! Should the likes of Wayne Rooney, Gary Neville, and Rio Ferdinand, be recognised in the Honours list? Comment below

In December, Neville took a shot at UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, by describing him as "the worst kind of leader".

"We've seen it for the last two years. This guy lacks integrity. He lies to us constantly. The mistruths that come out of number 10 are just constant," Neville said in a scathing assessment of Johnson on Twitter.

"Not only that but he's the worst kind of leader. Someone who expects his team to go under with him and come out and lie for him.

"His ministers and his MPs are constantly forced to do that and enough is enough."

Neville made these remarks after allegations suggesting Johnson and several members of the Conservative Party held a Christmas party, despite guidelines at the time encouraging the public to limit social contact as much as possible.

"It's not even about a party or a social gathering on December 18," Neville added.

"Or a secret Santa or a cheese and wine. It's about actually having a guy at the top of our country who believes he can take us all for a ride and laugh at us.

"He does it time after time after time. This cannot be let go. Now is the time to get this guy out of number 10 and start bringing some standards back into politics."