Harry Kane claims that he is undervalued because fans are “bored” with his stunning scoring statistics.
Tonight, the English skipper faces Albania with an incredible international record of 69 goals in 103 performances, while he also beat 76 times in just 82 games for Bayern Munich.
Kane, 31, said: “It is as if Ronaldo and Messi threw these crazy figures.
“The next season they score 40 goals instead of 50 and it was as if they had a bad season.
“People consider it a matter of course and maybe it's a bit for me with England.
“I scored 69 goals and if you score against Albania or Latvia, people just expect it, so there is no mention of it.
“If I was now 25 and doing what I do, the excitement around me would be a little different.
“Again, that is a part of where we are with football and I have seen it with a number of other players when they enter the thirty.
“Maybe people are just a bit bored what you are doing, but I am certainly not bored. I am enthusiastic about the games that are in front of us.”
The striker, back yesterday at the training ground of former club Tottenham, was asked if he could win the Ballon d'Or this year.
He said: “One hundred percent.
“I also felt that last season, I scored more than 40 goals, but I would never win the Ballon d'Or because we didn't win the team trophies.
“I finished tenth in the balloon d'Or or when I was at Spurs and that was as high as I could have made.”
Thomas Tuchel takes the lead for his first match as manager of England in what is the start of a new era after the reign of Sir Gareth Southgate.
It was Tuchel who persuaded Kane to leave Spurs for Bayern in 2023.
The German assistant in Munich was Englishman Anthony Barry and he is now no. 2 of the Three Lions.
Kane, who would win his first big title this season with Bundesliga leaders Bayern, said: “We had conversations before the transfer took place.
“Gareth and Thomas are different characters. In terms of coaching, Thomas takes a little more on the field.”
Kane is also pleased that Jordan Henderson is back in the team of England after 16 months.
There is no doubt that the three lions missed the influence of Hendo, 34, during Euro 2024 with skipper Kane, not the loudest characters.
Kane added: “When you go to tournaments, I don't think it's just about having the best players.
“It's about creating an environment in which you allow other people to thrive. I would say we were a little light on leadership in the summer.
“Especially if things are not going well, then you and Jordan need me – experienced players to take care of that responsibility.
“Hendo brings that experience as good as everyone I have played with.
“Thomas has been clear to try to build that environment. And it starts from this camp.”
Comments