Kane: I'm at peak, aiming for Ronaldo longevity

Kane Eager for More as He Approaches 100th England Appearance (1:20)

Harry Kane expressed that reaching his 100th cap for England will be a meaningful achievement for him, and he has no intention of stopping his international career in the foreseeable future.

James Olley, a Senior Writer for ESPN FC, posted an update on September 9, 2024, at 10:42 AM ET.

Harry Kane mentioned that he feels he is at his best both physically and mentally. He also expressed his ambition to follow in Cristiano Ronaldo's footsteps by continuing to play even into his late thirties.

At 39 years old, Ronaldo netted the 901st goal of his extraordinary career as Portugal rallied to defeat Scotland 2-1 on Sunday evening.

Kane is poised to earn his 100th cap for England as the Three Lions go up against Finland in a UEFA Nations League match at Wembley on Tuesday. He will become the 10th male player to achieve this feat and the first since Wayne Rooney did so in 2014.

At 31 years old, he holds the record for the most goals scored for England, totaling 66. Before the match begins, he will receive a golden cap in a special presentation.

Despite being a key player, Kane faced criticism for his personal performances throughout England's Euro 2024 journey. He was taken off the pitch in the final against Spain following yet another disappointing showing.

Bayern Munich forward Kane, who is expected to play against Finland, shared his thoughts: "I feel great right now. I’m at my best both physically and mentally in my career. Seeing players like Ronaldo net his 901st goal yesterday and continue to perform at 38 and 39 years old motivates me to play for as long as I can."

I’m really passionate about this game and representing England means the world to me. I hope it continues for a long time. My focus is on getting better, staying consistent both for the national team and at my club. I’m not sure how many appearances or goals I might achieve, but I’m eager for more and committed to stretching my limits.

Sometimes, it can be tough to fully appreciate what’s happening while you’re in the middle of a game and experiencing those moments. I’ve mentioned this before regarding certain goal-scoring achievements, but this is one accomplishment that I feel especially proud of.

"It demonstrates impressive reliability over an extended period. A few other athletes who have reached this milestone are among our legends. I'm genuinely thrilled about it. My family will be there to share the experience, too. Without a doubt, it's a moment I'll reflect on with great pride once I retire."

When asked if he had a personal connection with Ronaldo, Kane said, "No, I haven't. I've seen him a few times at various events, but both he and [Lionel] Messi were athletes I admired while growing up."

They were at the height of their careers just as I was entering my teenage years, especially when I began to play football seriously and wanted to enhance my skills. It wasn’t just about my love for the game; they truly inspired me.

I believe that having a strong drive, passion, and determination is crucial. It’s about continually showing others that you can achieve more and, even more importantly, proving to yourself that you can always strive to be your best. When the time comes to hang up your boots, you'll be able to look back with pride on all you've accomplished.

"I make an effort to look up to various athletes for inspiration, particularly those who have more experience than I do. Achieving more than 900 career goals is an incredible feat, and continuing to play at his age is truly motivational. Understanding that I have many years left to compete at this level really encourages me."

Lee Carsley stated that there will be "two or three adjustments" to the lineup that triumphed over Ireland 2-0 in his debut match as interim manager last weekend. However, he once again declined to comment on whether he is nearing a permanent appointment for the position.

"I believe we're making progress together as a team," he shared. "Honestly, I don't focus on myself too much. Whether there's a problem or not feels almost trivial."

"The most suitable candidate deserves the position. It's an amazing opportunity, with a fantastic team of players and a lot of potential. I'm fully aware of my responsibilities during the upcoming three camps, so I feel completely at ease with that."