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Harry Kane’s name has already been etched in FIFA World CupTM history. By scoring six goals in Russia 2018, England captain Harry Kane earned the tournament’s adidas Golden Boot, following in the footsteps of legends such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Gerd Muller, and Eusebio.
Kane, 28, has already established himself as a Three Lions legend. No one in England’s national team history has scored more frequently in competitive matches, and his overall record of 49 from 69 appearances is unrivaled in modern-day international football.
However, his spectacular current form for Tottenham Hotspur has sparked speculation about feats that would dwarf his previous achievements.
Kane, for example, could become the first player in history to lead the scoring charts at two FIFA World Cups. Bookmakers rate him as the favorite to do so, and his Europe-leading record of 12 goals in eight qualifying appearances – one every 49 minutes – demonstrates why.
Rooney’s record within touching distance
The likes of Kylian Mbappe and Cristiano Ronaldo will also have their eyes on Qatar 2022’s Golden Boot, of course, and Kane’s chances of an unprecedented double may rest on whether England can go the distance. But another historic achievement – the all-time Three Lions scoring record – now looks to be a mere formality.
Kane recently passed Gary Lineker (48) to join the great Bobby Charlton on 49 England goals, and he is now only four goals away from matching Wayne Rooney’s record of 53. The current record holder is well aware that his record will not last much longer, and he has heaped praise on the man set to surpass him.
“Harry’s a fantastic player and goalscorer,” he said. “If I were building a team, he’d be the one I’d start with. Harry Kane: there’s my No9, then I’d build the rest around him.
“Records are great of course but they’re there to be broken. When Harry does break it, he deserves all the praise and credit that he gets because it’s a great honour to hold that record.
“For him and for the manager Gareth Southgate, I also think he should try to get that record before the World Cup so it doesn’t become a distraction.”
Final fantasy
Kane will have six UEFA Nations League matches – against Germany, Hungary, and Italy – to match and potentially surpass Rooney before heading to Qatar, assuming he stays fit. However, with England’s games against Hungary in Budapest and Italy at Wembley set to be played in front of empty stadiums due to UEFA sanctions, there are concerns that this historic occasion may fall short.
“It would be hugely unfortunate [if the record was broken in an empty stadium],” Southgate admitted recently. “The games behind closed doors, frankly we have seen and had enough of them, but for both countries it is a punishment because our fans and their fans weren’t able to control themselves. That’s an embarrassment for us, but it is the situation we have got and it would be particularly sad if that was the game where Harry broke the record.
“I don’t think he will worry where he is playing. But it would be lovely if it was at Wembley. And if it was in the World Cup final, it would be absolutely fine!”
That is the dream. And if he could grab a record-breaking, Golden Boot-winning strike to fire England to their first global title in 56 years, Kane would make the transition from legend to World Cup immortal – and national saint.
doha
Harry Kane’s name has already been etched in FIFA World CupTM history. By scoring six goals in Russia 2018, England captain Harry Kane earned the tournament’s adidas Golden Boot, following in the footsteps of legends such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Gerd Muller, and Eusebio.
Kane, 28, has already established himself as a Three Lions legend. No one in England’s national team history has scored more frequently in competitive matches, and his overall record of 49 from 69 appearances is unrivaled in modern-day international football.
However, his spectacular current form for Tottenham Hotspur has sparked speculation about feats that would dwarf his previous achievements.
Kane, for example, could become the first player in history to lead the scoring charts at two FIFA World Cups. Bookmakers rate him as the favorite to do so, and his Europe-leading record of 12 goals in eight qualifying appearances – one every 49 minutes – demonstrates why.
Rooney’s record within touching distance
The likes of Kylian Mbappe and Cristiano Ronaldo will also have their eyes on Qatar 2022’s Golden Boot, of course, and Kane’s chances of an unprecedented double may rest on whether England can go the distance. But another historic achievement – the all-time Three Lions scoring record – now looks to be a mere formality.
Kane recently passed Gary Lineker (48) to join the great Bobby Charlton on 49 England goals, and he is now only four goals away from matching Wayne Rooney’s record of 53. The current record holder is well aware that his record will not last much longer, and he has heaped praise on the man set to surpass him.
“Harry’s a fantastic player and goalscorer,” he said. “If I were building a team, he’d be the one I’d start with. Harry Kane: there’s my No9, then I’d build the rest around him.
“Records are great of course but they’re there to be broken. When Harry does break it, he deserves all the praise and credit that he gets because it’s a great honour to hold that record.
“For him and for the manager Gareth Southgate, I also think he should try to get that record before the World Cup so it doesn’t become a distraction.”
Final fantasy
Kane will have six UEFA Nations League matches – against Germany, Hungary, and Italy – to match and potentially surpass Rooney before heading to Qatar, assuming he stays fit. However, with England’s games against Hungary in Budapest and Italy at Wembley set to be played in front of empty stadiums due to UEFA sanctions, there are concerns that this historic occasion may fall short.
“It would be hugely unfortunate [if the record was broken in an empty stadium],” Southgate admitted recently. “The games behind closed doors, frankly we have seen and had enough of them, but for both countries it is a punishment because our fans and their fans weren’t able to control themselves. That’s an embarrassment for us, but it is the situation we have got and it would be particularly sad if that was the game where Harry broke the record.
“I don’t think he will worry where he is playing. But it would be lovely if it was at Wembley. And if it was in the World Cup final, it would be absolutely fine!”
That is the dream. And if he could grab a record-breaking, Golden Boot-winning strike to fire England to their first global title in 56 years, Kane would make the transition from legend to World Cup immortal – and national saint.
