Harry Kane: People have got bored with my goals as they did with Ronaldo and Messi – I can win Ballon d’Or this year
HARRY KANE claims he is under-appreciated as fans have become “bored” with his stunning scoring stats.
The England skipper faces Albania tonight with an incredible international record of 69 goals in 103 appearances, while he has also struck 76 times in just 82 matches for Bayern Munich.
Kane, 31, said: “It’s like when Ronaldo and Messi were throwing these crazy numbers out there.
“The next season, they’d score 40 goals instead of 50 and it was like they were having a bad season.
“People take it for granted and maybe it’s a little bit for me with England as well.
“I’ve scored 69 goals and when you score against Albania or Latvia, people just expect it, so it’s not spoken about so much.
“If I was 25 now and doing what I’m doing, the excitement around me would be a bit different.
“Again, that’s part of where we are with football and I’ve seen it with some other players as they get into their 30s.
“Maybe people just get a little bit bored of what you do but I’m certainly not bored. I’m excited for the games ahead.”
The striker, back at former club Tottenham’s training ground yesterday, was asked whether he can win the Ballon d’Or this year.
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He said: “One hundred per cent.
“I felt that last season as well, I scored over 40 goals but I was never going to win the Ballon d’Or because we didn’t win the team trophies.
Harry Kane reveals his favourite England goals
HARRY KANE is already England’s all-time record goalscorer.
But the Three Lions skipper will NOT be stopping there.
To mark his 100th cap for his country, Kane spoke to SunSport’s CHARLIE WYETT about some of his special England goals….
FIRST ENGLAND GOAL
“My debut v Lithuania. March 2015.
“There was a lot of talk in the build-up to that camp because I was playing well for Spurs.
“I got a great reception and within a couple of minutes I scored a goal.
“I don’t think I could have dreamed it any better.
“My friends and family were there. That was a really special night.”
FAVOURITE ENGLAND GOAL
“It’s between two, for me.
“Against Germany, the one at Wembley in Euro 2020.
“Also, the header against Tunisia at the World Cup in 2018.
“That moment of scoring a last-minute winner at my first World Cup was special.”
BEST ENGLAND GOAL
“The one I scored in Poland away in a World Cup qualifier in 2021. It was from 25 yards.”
(Kane picked up the ball from Kyle Walker, advanced towards goal and put his foot through it.)
“It kind of drifted away and it was a good strike, probably my furthest-out goal for England.”
“I finished tenth in the Ballon d’Or while at Spurs and that was as high as I could have finished.”
Thomas Tuchel takes charge of his first game as England manager in what is the start of a new era following the reign of Sir Gareth Southgate.
It was Tuchel who persuaded Kane to leave Spurs for Bayern in 2023.
The German’s assistant in Munich was Englishman Anthony Barry and he is now the Three Lions’ No 2.
Kane, set to win his first major title this season with Bundesliga leaders Bayern, said: “We had conversations before the transfer happened.
“Gareth and Thomas are different characters. In terms of coaching, Thomas takes a bit more on the pitch.”
I finished tenth in the Ballon d’Or while at Spurs and that was as high as I could have finished.
Harry Kane
Kane is also delighted that Jordan Henderson is back in the England squad after 16 months out.
There is no doubt the Three Lions missed the influence of Hendo, 34, during Euro 2024 with skipper Kane not the loudest of characters.
Kane added: “Whenever you go to tournaments, I don’t think it’s just about having the best players.
“It’s about creating an environment where you allow other people to thrive. I would say we were a little bit light on leadership in the summer.
“Especially when things are not going well, that’s when you need me and Jordan — experienced players to take that responsibility on.
“Hendo brings that experience as good as anyone I’ve played with.
“Thomas has been clear on trying to build that environment. And it starts from this camp.”