Just five days remain for Harry Kane to secure the Ballon d’Or, with the path forward clear: he must outshine Lionel Messi in Atlanta, followed by overcoming either Kylian Mbappé or Lamine Yamal on Sunday. The England captain, who faced skepticism during his youth, is poised for yet another monumental clash against Argentina this Wednesday.
This moment could define Kane’s legacy. The striker for Bayern Munich has had an extraordinary season, amassing more domestic trophies and achieving 73 goals across 64 matches for both club and country. However, further accomplishments await him. He stands on the brink of leading England to its first World Cup final outside of its home turf, a feat that requires him to eclipse the legendary Messi.
Kane has expressed his ambition to reach the heights of Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. His transfer to Bayern in 2023 finally provided the silverware that matched his skill. Yet, he seeks further achievement on the international front. Driven by a desire to amend past disappointments, Kane has a unique opportunity to be recognized as the world’s best player if he can guide England to World Cup victory for the first time in 60 years this week.
At this tournament, Kane has noted he feels in peak physical condition. Observing Messi, who remains a force at 39, he contemplates his own longevity in the sport. It’s plausible to envision Kane still playing a pivotal role for England at the next World Cup, even at the age of 36. He has meticulously examined how elite athletes maintain their fitness.
“That’s why you do all the work behind the scenes,”
he said after his two-goal performance against the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the Round of 32.
Those guys, Messi and Ronaldo, are at the pinnacle of that.
However, to be regarded as an all-time great beyond England, Kane must deliver in crucial matches. This is where players like Messi excel. Argentina’s legendary forward, who has claimed the Ballon d’Or a record eight times, consistently rises to the occasion. He scored in both the 2009 and 2011 Champions League finals against Manchester United, frequently dominated Real Madrid in El Clasico, and was instrumental in Argentina’s 2022 World Cup triumph. His performance against Mexico in the group stage was pivotal, as he scored in every knockout round, contributing significantly in the semi-final against Croatia and netting twice in the final against France. These are the benchmarks for greatness.
Kane is not without his own memorable moments. He netted a hat-trick for Bayern in their DFB-Pokal final victory over Stuttgart in May and was a key contributor during Bayern’s Champions League journey, scoring in every round until their semi-final exit against Paris Saint-Germain. In international play, Kane has been prolific; his knockout round achievements are impressive. He rescued Thomas Tuchel’s position with his goals against the DRC and has scored in the last 16 of five consecutive tournaments.
Yet, maintaining this level of performance is challenging. Kane won the Golden Boot at the 2018 World Cup but showed signs of fatigue in the latter stages, missing a crucial opportunity to extend England’s lead during their semi-final loss to Croatia. His resilience has been tested, particularly during Euro 2020, where he faced criticism but responded by scoring vital goals against Germany, Ukraine, and Denmark. However, he faltered in the final, contributing little as England fell to Italy in a penalty shootout. This pattern is all too familiar.
The previous World Cup was disappointing for Kane. He converted one penalty but squandered another as England, despite being the stronger team, lost to France in the quarter-finals. His struggles continued at Euro 2024, where a back injury hindered him. Although he scored the decisive goal against Slovakia in the Round of 16 and equalized with an early penalty in the semi-final against the Netherlands, his tournament ended disappointingly when Gareth Southgate substituted him in the 61st minute during the final against Spain.
It is characteristic of Kane to rebound and come back even stronger. He has been one of the standout players in this World Cup, scoring six times in six games. His performance against Mexico was noteworthy, as he assisted Jude Bellingham’s second goal and netted the winning penalty. Despite not being at his best in the quarter-final against Norway—where the Miami heat seemed to affect him more than others—he put in a solid effort and remained on the pitch until the end of extra time. Nevertheless, a fierce competitor like Kane is unlikely to view his contributions in the last-32 match against the DRC as sufficient to secure his legacy.
In the Atlanta Stadium, Kane will benefit from more favorable conditions, thanks to the roof and air conditioning. He possesses the skill, strength, and height to challenge Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martínez, Argentina’s formidable defenders. Success for England hinges on Kane’s ability to win this individual battle.
- Harry Kane
- England
- World Cup 2026
- World Cup
- features
