Harry Kane has reiterated his desire to emulate Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, with the England captain targeting 100 international goals.
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Made international debut in 2015Three Lions' all-time leading scorerInspiration taken from legendary starsGettyWHAT HAPPENED?
The prolific 31-year-old, who now plies his club trade in Germany for Bayern Munich, is already the Three Lions’ all-time leading scorer. He has plundered 66 goals for his country and will become an appearance-making centurion when earning his 100th cap in a Nations League clash with Finland.
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With time still on his side, Kane has said of reaching triple figures in the goal-getting department: “It’s possible, it’s there. What is it, 34 goals? These 100 caps have come round so quickly, especially the last few years playing three major tournaments in such a short space of time. The goals were similar, I felt I was on 30 goals and then, bam… I went to 50 and 60. It is definitely there and definitely possible. I feel like I am in a good place and these are good targets to try to reach. Some people may see them as unrealistic but I would rather go for something unrealistic and not quite make it rather than be comfortable just saying I will be happy with 70 or 80 goals.”
Getty/GOALTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Kane considers such a target to be realistic as he continues to take inspiration from the likes of Messi, Ronaldo and NFL legend Tom Brady when it comes to prolonging elite sporting careers into late 30s and early 40s. He added: “(Staying at the top level) is probably the hardest part. You see a lot of players who have a few good seasons but then drop off and I think the hardest thing to do is to maintain it and consistently play at the highest level. That’s why I have so much respect for Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and these players. To be able to do it for 15 or 20 years is some mindset and some achievement. For now, 100 caps, that’s part of the reason I am really proud. At 31, I am in a good place both mentally and physically and some of the players ahead of me like Ronaldo have helped prove to me I can be at this level for a long time.”
WHAT NEXT?
Kane made his senior international debut in 2015 – scoring against Lithuania after stepping off the bench. He was won Golden Boots at the World Cup and European Championship, captaining the Three Lions on more than 70 occasions, and is considered to be one of the greatest finishers of his generation.
