Kane Reflects on Ronaldo's Influence Ahead of 100th England Cap
Harry Kane draws inspiration from Cristiano Ronaldo as he approaches his 100th cap for England. Reflecting on Ronaldo's enduring career, Kane noted the Portuguese forward's record-breaking achievements as a source of motivation for his own longevity in the sport.
"Just watching Ronaldo score his 901st goal yesterday, seeing him compete at 38, 39 years old, it just inspires me to play as long as possible," Kane remarked ahead of his milestone appearance. On Tuesday, during England's Nations League match against Finland at Wembley Stadium, Kane will become the 10th English player to reach 100 caps and will be honored with a gold cap before kickoff.
As captain of England and its all-time top scorer with 66 goals, Kane is in pursuit of surpassing Peter Shilton's record of 125 international appearances. Kane, currently 31, remains one of the top strikers in the world and shows no signs of slowing down.
Ronaldo's international stats stand apart in men's soccer. He has scored 132 goals in 213 appearances for Portugal, both world records in men's international football. Kane acknowledges Ronaldo's ability to perform at the highest level even as he approaches 40, saying, "It motivates me to know I have many more years ahead at the highest level."
Kane believes his versatility as a player, dropping deeper into a No. 10 role instead of focusing solely on scoring, may help extend his career. His recent move to Bayern Munich, where he plays under coach Vincent Kompany, has also provided a fresh start. Kane feels rejuvenated by Kompany's high-intensity football style, which matches that of new England interim coach Lee Carsley. Carsley recently led England to a 2-0 win over Ireland.
Kane made his international debut in March 2015, scoring just 79 seconds after coming on as a substitute in a 4-0 win over Lithuania. Since then, he has played more matches in major finals (28) and competitive games (83) than any other English male player.
With Finland up next, Kane, who trained wearing golden boots, is expected to captain England for the 73rd time. He emphasized that he feels "physically and mentally at a peak" in his career, stating, "I love representing England more than anything, and I don't want it to end anytime soon."
As Kane continues to improve, his focus remains on consistency at both club and international levels. "Who knows how many caps I can get or how many goals I can get, but I am hungry for more," Kane concluded.
