Harry Kane suggests that his remarkable goalscoring record might be undervalued because fans have grown accustomed to his high standards.
The England national team captain is preparing to play against Albania, boasting an impressive international tally of 69 goals in 103 appearances. Furthermore, he has scored 76 goals in just 82 games for Bayern Munich.
Kane, aged 31, commented, “It’s similar to how people reacted when Ronaldo and Messi were consistently achieving incredible scoring numbers.”
“If they then scored 40 goals in a season instead of 50, it was perceived as a poor season for them.”
“Perhaps my situation with England is somewhat comparable. People might take it for granted that I’ve scored 69 goals, and when I score against teams like Albania or Latvia, it’s almost expected, so it doesn’t generate as much discussion.”
“If I were 25 now and achieving these results, the level of excitement surrounding me might be different.”
“This is just part of football as players get older. Maybe people become slightly less impressed by consistent performance, but my enthusiasm remains high. I’m excited for the upcoming matches.”
When asked about his chances of winning the Ballon d’Or this year, Kane, who was visiting Tottenham’s training ground, responded affirmatively.
“Absolutely, one hundred percent.”
“I felt last season I had a chance too, scoring over 40 goals, but recognized that winning team trophies is crucial for Ballon d’Or contention.”
“I reached tenth in the Ballon d’Or rankings while at Spurs, and that felt like the highest possible achievement at the time.”
Thomas Tuchel has taken over as England manager, marking a new chapter after Gareth Southgate’s tenure.
It was Tuchel who convinced Kane to move from Tottenham to Bayern in 2023.
Kane mentioned, “We had discussions before the transfer happened.”
“Gareth and Thomas have different styles. Coaching-wise, Thomas is more hands-on on the training pitch.”
Kane also expressed his pleasure at Jordan Henderson’s return to the England squad after a 16-month absence.
He acknowledged Henderson’s leadership qualities were missed during Euro 2024, especially as Kane himself is not a particularly vocal captain.
Kane added, “At tournaments, it’s not just about individual talent. It’s about creating a supportive team environment. Perhaps we lacked some leadership last summer.”
“Especially when things are challenging, that’s when experienced players like Jordan and myself need to step up and take responsibility.”
“Hendo’s experience in creating that environment is unmatched in my playing experience.”
“Thomas is focused on building this environment, starting from this training camp.”
