Harry Kane has opened up about how Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney served as an inspiration for his record-breaking journey with England's national team, while also reflecting on the defining moments of his career, including a missed penalty on his Tottenham debut.
Rooney, who holds Manchester United's all-time scoring record, set a remarkable standard for England when he surpassed World Cup winner Sir Bobby Charlton's record. He became the first Three Lions player to reach 50 goals, ultimately finishing his international career with 53 goals in 120 appearances.
Kane has since eclipsed that mark impressively, amassing 69 goals in 103 caps. Now serving as England's captain at age 31, he continues to demonstrate his prowess as a prolific scorer with Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga.
Speaking to Soccer Bible, Kane shared his perspective on making history: "It's hard to fully process while I'm still playing. I remember watching Wayne Rooney break the England goal-scoring record and thinking how incredible that must have felt for him." The striker added, "For me, it's similar – it's a huge honour, but I quickly shift my focus to the next game or the next milestone. I'm incredibly proud of what I've achieved, but my mindset is always about pushing further. Once I break a record, it's about seeing how much further I can go, whether that's with goals, caps, or anything else."
This mentality, reminiscent of footballing legends Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, has been a cornerstone of Kane's success. Reflecting on the pivotal moments that shaped his career, he revealed, "There are plenty of moments that helped define me, both good and bad. My Tottenham debut, for example – I missed a penalty at White Hart Lane when I was 18. That could've been a big blow to my confidence, but it built resilience."
He continued, "Then there are moments like making my England debut at Wembley, coming on for Wayne Rooney, and scoring within minutes. Those are moments no one can take away from you, and they remind me of the hard work and discipline it took to get here."
Despite his individual accolades, including Golden Boots and PFA prizes, Kane is yet to secure a major trophy. However, that drought could end in 2025, as Bayern Munich remains in strong contention for both the Bundesliga and Champions League titles.
