Harry Kane makes Cristiano Ronaldo claim after admitting "shock" at England decision
Harry Kane is already England's all-time record goalscorer but the Bayern Munich is determined not to hang up his goalscoring shoes just yet as he aims to emulate Cristiano Ronaldo's longevity
by Simon Mullock · The MirrorHarry Kane reckons he can become England’s answer to Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Robert Lewandowski - thanks to a few Christmas cocktails.
Kane, 31, believes he's still got years left at the top level, despite being left out of the team that resurrected the Three Lions’ hopes of Nations League promotion with a 3-0 victory over Greece in Athens on Thursday night. The England captain feels he is reaping the benefits of a winter break in Germany - and revealed that he'll be enjoying some much-needed R&R when his Premier League team-mates are slogging it out at Christmas.
Kane will once again be leading from the front when England face the Republic of Ireland needing three points to confirm their place back in the top division. Messi, Ronaldo and Lewandowski are all still in the goals despite being in their late-30s.
And Kane said: “I don’t think I’m at that age yet where I worry about the schedule too much. When you look at the Ronaldos and those types of players, they are all a lot older than me and are still trying to play as many games as possible.
“For me personally, being in Germany, I get that winter break so I do get a good block off in a tough period. I did feel sorry for some of the guys when I was on the beach last year watching them play on Boxing Day and December 29 - and I am there with my cocktail.
“It does help, I felt it really helped me last year. Being in Germany gives you the luxury of having that break and I’ll be having that next year as well before the World Cup.”
Kane will be part of the Bayern Munich team heading for the Club World Cup in the United States next summer. Players at Manchester City and Chelsea will then have to perform for virtually 12 months without an extended break before the next World Cup kicks off in the US, Canada and Mexico.
Kane said: “There is a conversation that needs to be had. Everyone wants their piece of the pie and it’s going to be hard to find a balance but I think if we can get some sort of winter break, especially for the Premier League boys, it would have a big impact.
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"On the other hand, a lot of us were playing in the Premier League when we got to the final of the Euros in 2021, the World Cup semi-finals in Russia in 2018 and the Euros final last summer. So we have been able to find a way to do well in major tournaments, even without a winter break."
Kane admitted he was shocked to be told by interim boss Lee Carsley that Ollie Watkins would be leading England’s attack for the must-win trip to Greece. The Aston Villa forward rewarded the coach by scoring the opening goal in the 3-0 victory to set up the chance to clinch promotion against the Irish.
Kane said: “It was probably a little bit of a shock. It was about getting my head around it. But I wasn’t down about it. I wasn’t worried about it. I understood where Lee was coming from and I think that’s part and parcel of being captain. I’ve made it clear that I want to start every game. But being a leader, you sometimes have to take things in your stride and say ‘ok, I am ready to help the team."
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