The prolific Bayern Munich striker, who is already his country’s all-time leading scorer with 65 goals, will turn 31 in late July. His success isn’t built on speed but rather his exceptional ability to find scoring opportunities, indicating he could continue playing for several more seasons for both club and country.
Ex-England striker Emile Heskey, in an interview with GOAL in partnership with 888sport, discussed Kane’s potential longevity: “I played until I was 32, but I see Kane going beyond that. Look at Ronaldo, who adapted his playing style and is still performing at 39. Harry has a similar game. Alan Shearer also remained effective even with age-related changes in pace and mobility. Kane will still score goals. I can see him playing for the national team until 36, depending on the manager and the emerging talent. Robbie Fowler, despite his talent, was surrounded by prolific strikers like Les Ferdinand, Shearer, Michael Owen, and Ian Wright, which limited his appearances. Who will step up to take Kane’s place?”
Kane’s importance to England mirrors the significance of Messi and Ronaldo to Argentina and Portugal, respectively. Heskey commented on Kane’s role: “He’s our go-to player, one you can’t take off the field because he can always score. Even if he’s not playing well, he’s crucial because he can find and finish chances. His goals at Euro 2024 were examples of his composure and finishing ability. While he may not control games like Messi or Ronaldo, his goal-scoring ability makes him indispensable.”
With Kane now among modern football greats, Heskey evaluated his position compared to legends like Shearer, Gary Lineker, Michael Owen, and Wayne Rooney: “In terms of goals, Kane is at the top. For overall play and game control, Rooney stands out. An 18-year-old Rooney was dynamic across the pitch. But when it comes to pure goal-scoring, it’s all about Kane. Give him a half-chance, and he’ll score.”
Kane is currently participating in Euro 2024 alongside Jude Bellingham, both having scored in England’s dramatic last-16 victory over Slovakia. Bellingham’s stoppage-time overhead kick and celebration showcased his confidence and drew comparisons to Ronaldo. Heskey remarked on Bellingham: “Young players like Bellingham just do their thing without overthinking. Like Spain’s 16-year-old Lamine Yamal or Wayne Rooney when he started, they excel naturally. Bellingham knows his strengths and rises to the occasion, proving himself repeatedly. He’s a remarkable player for the moment.”
Despite not playing their best, England has reached the Euro 2024 quarter-finals and will face Switzerland in Düsseldorf on Saturday.
Harry Kane
Harry Kane
EnglandFC Bayern München performance and stats
