Harry Kane, England’s all-time leading scorer and currently playing for Bayern Munich, has expressed his desire to maintain peak performance for another eight or nine years, setting his sights on the European Championship in 2028, which will be hosted in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Kane, who will be close to 35 when the 2028 tournament commences, aspires to help England secure victory on home soil, considering it a “dream come true” after the disappointment of losing the 2020 final to Italy at Wembley.
In the world of sports and football, the perception often suggests that a player’s career starts to wane upon reaching 30. However, Kane is determined to challenge this notion, viewing his current age as the start of the second half of his career. He emphasizes the advancements in recovery techniques, sports science, and the evolving nature of the game, which collectively allow players to extend their careers. Kane celebrated his 30th birthday in July and is inspired by the examples set by iconic footballers like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, who have continued to excel at the highest level well into their thirties.
Kane explained, “When you look at a lot of the top-level players — Ronaldo, Messi, (Robert) Lewandowski, (Zlatan) Ibrahimovic — they have almost got better as they hit 30.” He believes that factors like personal stability, family life, and mental comfort play crucial roles in enabling athletes to focus more on their football when they reach this stage of their careers.
For Kane, the ambition of leading England to victory in the 2028 Euros has added motivation to extend his career, making him eager to contribute to the team’s success. With his determination and commitment, Kane is looking forward to an exciting future in football.