Harry Kane is set to become England’s most-capped player ever on Thursday night – will it also be time to crown him the country’s greatest?
Kane’s Ballon d’Or triumph last month coronated him as the world’s best for the past year. Whether he should have the all-time No 1 spot for his country makes for a fascinating debate – not least with the weight of a World Cup win on the side of historic icons such as Bobby Charlton (another Ballon d’Or winner) and Bobby Moore (another captain fantastic).
But, minus the big team triumph, Kane’s individual case is compelling.
Interestingly, Sky Sports readers went for Kane when we asked the question following his 125th cap for the Three Lions in October. Kane took 49 per cent of the vote from almost 100,000 respondents.
A major-tournament win would surely take him into undisputed territory. Cruelly, through two European Championship finals – including one settled on penalties at Wembley – and two World Cup semi-final heartaches, that international trophy currently remains elusive.
After ending his club trophy wait with his move to Bayern Munich, Kane would dearly love the latter years of his career to also bring England success. Perhaps the Nations League is where he and his team-mates will break that long wait for silverware? England are almost certain of a place in March’s quarter-finals and can make a statement against Croatia and Spain this week.
But even without the big England win, Kane’s huge goal haul, consistency, leadership and multi-faceted quality put him on a pedestal. He is guaranteed a fitting show of respect and admiration for all of that ahead of kick-off with Croatia.
Kane is almost certain to start that fixture, meaning he will go to 126 appearances for his country, one more than legendary goalkeeper Peter Shilton.
International games come more frequently these days, of course, but Kane’s relentlessness is well worthy of celebration. He’s always hungry to get onto the pitch and go for goals and that’s reflected in his stats. He has been unavailable for just one of the past 101 competitive matches England have played, a defeat to Greece in 2024 in the Nations League.
Inevitably there have been highs and lows – and plenty of criticism to ride through before what is likely to be a night of tribute this week.
The agonising campaign to add to that World Cup win of Moore, Charlton and co goes on but in the Kane era, England have never gone closer. From going to the final four in 2018 in Russia to the painful turnaround loss to Argentina in the USA which ultimately led to a third-place World Cup finish, Kane has been a central figure.
Argentina’s Lionel Messi and England’s Harry Kane after the World Cup semi-final
There have been moments when he has been fiercely scrutinised, particularly in summers when it appeared he was worn out by the rigours of the previous season.
There have been big misses – from close range against Croatia in that World Cup semi-final, for instance, or his second penalty against France at the 2022 World Cup, when he skied the ball off target when he looked primed to take the quarter-final to extra-time.
But mainly there have been goals. So many goals. For years, Charlton’s total of 49 was the record total for an England player. Wayne Rooney just managed to overhaul it at the end of his career, lifting the bar to 53. Kane has smashed it. He’s up to 91 and counting, as prolific as he’s ever been.
On the occasion of his 125th cap against the Czech Republic, he added two more to his total. A Croatia side who he also struck twice against in that incredible 7-0 victory in October will be fearing more punishment from the England skipper.
With a long-coveted Ballon d’Or in his possession, Kane appears to be at the peak of his powers: the goal machine who can also set up opportunities for others and make the play from deep. An all-round superstar.
On Thursday, those stratospheric heights he’s reached will be recognised. But be sure, Kane – along with England supporters – will be wondering whether he and this team can go even higher for the truly magnificent prizes they all crave.
Follow England vs Croatia with the Sky Sports website and App on Thursday; kick-off 7.45pm
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: skynews.com
