## Kane joins illustrious list
Captain Harry Kane is set to make his 100th appearance for the England national team, becoming only the 10th player to achieve this milestone. The 31-year-old striker, who made his debut in 2015, holds the record for the most goals scored by an England player, with 66 goals in 99 games. As Kane prepares to reach this significant milestone, let’s take a closer look at some of the numbers behind his journey.
Kane will join an illustrious list of players who have made over 100 appearances for England. This exclusive club includes iconic names such as David Beckham, Steven Gerrard, Bobby Moore, Ashley Cole, Bobby Charlton, and Frank Lampard. Reflecting on this achievement, Kane expressed his pride and acknowledged the greatness of the players he will be joining.
“When you look at the list [of players with 100 caps], it is a list of some of our greatest players,” Kane said. “I’m sure when I’m retired, I’ll look back on this with immense pride.”
## A debut goal after 79 seconds to get the ball rolling
Kane’s journey to 100 caps began with a bang, as he scored a goal just 79 seconds into his England debut. Coming off the bench in a Euro 2016 qualifier against Lithuania in March 2015, Kane made an immediate impact by heading in his first goal for his country. Since then, he has gone on to score 46 more goals than any other England player. Additionally, Kane leads the team in assists during this period, with 17 to his name.
The striker has also been a key figure in major tournaments, having represented England in 29 games (11 at the World Cup and 18 at the Euros). This tally is the highest among all England players, highlighting Kane’s importance on the international stage. Furthermore, he holds the record for the most goals scored by an England player in major tournaments, with 15 to his name.
Kane’s prolific scoring ability is further evidenced by his five hat-tricks for England. Only Jimmy Greaves has scored more hat-tricks for the national team, with six to his name. These remarkable achievements showcase Kane’s impact and consistency as a goal scorer for England.
## Scoring success under Southgate
Harry Kane’s 99 caps for England have come under the guidance of four different managers. He made his debut under Roy Hodgson, playing 16 times and scoring five goals during that period. Sam Allardyce’s brief tenure saw Kane feature in his only game as England manager. However, it is under Gareth Southgate’s management that Kane has truly thrived, accumulating 81 appearances and scoring 61 goals.
Maintaining high levels of performance and producing consistent numbers have been the most challenging aspects for Kane throughout his career. The fierce competition for places within the squad has necessitated his continuous improvement and dedication to the game. Kane’s ability to achieve his 100th cap in just nine years is a testament to his exceptional consistency and unwavering commitment to representing his country.
## Inspired by Ronaldo – how long can Kane keep going?
As Harry Kane prepares to reach his 100th cap, he finds inspiration in the longevity of Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo. Last week, Ronaldo scored his 900th career goal at the age of 39. Kane, who is eight years younger than Ronaldo, sees the legendary forward as a role model for the length of his own career.
“I feel in really good shape, both physically and mentally, at a peak in my career,” Kane said. “Watching other players, Ronaldo scoring his 901st goal, seeing him compete at 39 years old inspires me to play for as long as possible.”
Kane’s hunger for success and his love for the game drive his desire to continue representing England. Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton believes that Kane has the attributes and quality to play for many more years.
“With his intelligence and the way he plays, I think he will be around for a long time yet,” Sutton said. “He doesn’t have great pace, but he is a ruthless goal scorer and a brilliant footballer. He creates and scores. He can go on for years and years.”
## A first against Finland?
In Tuesday’s match against Finland, Harry Kane will face his 45th different country while representing England. Throughout his international career, he has scored or assisted against all but 10 of the 44 countries he has played against. Notably, Kane has been particularly prolific against Germany, finding the back of the net four times in four appearances against them. Italy is another opponent he has faced frequently, scoring three goals in six encounters.
If Kane manages to score against Finland, he will become only the third player to score on his 100th England appearance, joining the likes of Wayne Rooney and Bobby Charlton. The significance of this achievement cannot be understated, and it would further solidify Kane’s place among England’s all-time greats.
Teammate Conor Coady spoke highly of Kane’s dedication and impact on the England team, emphasizing his reliability and commitment.
“He is always out there for England. He is the first player to report for England, the first on the training pitch,” Coady said. “Being able to train with him, see the quality he brings, I can see him going for plenty of years. He is such an important player for our country.”
As Harry Kane prepares to make his 100th appearance for England, his achievements and contributions to the team highlight his status as one of the nation’s greatest players. With his remarkable goal-scoring ability, consistency, and hunger for success, Kane is poised to continue making a significant impact on the international stage for years to come.