Harry Kane believes his consistent performances for club and country are often overlooked, comparing his situation to football legends Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. The England captain shared his thoughts ahead of England’s World Cup qualifier against Albania on Friday, a game that marks Thomas Tuchel’s debut as England manager.
Kane, 31, has been in prolific form since joining Bayern Munich from Tottenham last season, netting 32 goals and providing 11 assists in 37 appearances. However, the striker feels his consistency has led to a lack of recognition.
“It’s like when Ronaldo and Messi were putting up insane numbers, and then if they scored 40 goals instead of 50, people would say they were having a bad season,” Kane said. “I’ve scored 69 goals for England, but when you score against teams like Albania or Latvia, people just expect it — so it’s not talked about as much.”
Kane pointed out that if he were younger, his current form might generate more excitement. “If I was 25 and doing what I’m doing now, the reaction would probably be different,” he said. “But maybe people just get a little bored of what you do when you get into your 30s. I’m not bored, though — I’m excited for the games ahead.”
The Bayern striker also credited his move to Germany with elevating his game. “Being at a club like Bayern Munich has helped push me on even more, in terms of confidence and responsibility,” he said. “I feel like I’ve definitely improved. Maybe the ‘aura’ around me as a player is more respected now because I’m playing in big games on the biggest stage.”
Kane acknowledged that winning major trophies is key to gaining global recognition. “To be in the conversation for awards like the Ballon d’Or, you have to win team trophies and score 40-plus goals,” he said. “That’s the goal this season.”
As England prepares for a relatively low-stakes match against Albania, Kane remains focused on the bigger picture — maintaining his high standards and leading England to success under Tuchel’s guidance.