Harry Kane: How England captain’s ‘fairytale’ came true as he closes in on appearance record
“It’s great when fairytales come true,” England boss Roy Hodgson said after 21-year-old Tottenham striker Harry Kane scored 79 seconds into his international debut back in 2015.
“Let’s hope it’s the start of a good and long England career for him.”
Eleven years on, Kane will make his 126th appearance for his country and become the most-capped men’s player in Three Lions history when England play Croatia in the Nations League at Wembley on Thursday (19:45 GMT).
Peter Shilton, who served England as a goalkeeper, won 125 caps between 1970 and 1990.
“It’s not about me – it’s about the team,” said Kane, scorer of 91 goals in 125 appearances for his country, about his landmark moment.
“I love coming to every England camp, I love playing every game and representing the country in the best way possible.”
Kane, 33, has gone through every emotion playing for his country.
He fought back tears after missing a penalty in the World Cup quarter-final defeat by France in 2022, and sang Wonderwall with fans following the win over Croatia at this summer’s World Cup – which he labelled one of his “favourite ever moments” in a Three Lions shirt.
London-born Kane is the boy who grew up in Chingford to captain his country, become England’s record goalscorer and win the 2026 Ballon d’Or.
Now the Bayern Munich striker stands on the brink of making more appearances than any other man in England’s football history.
“He wins the Ballon d’Or, and deservedly so, and in the next game for England he gets the all-time record with 126 matches,” England boss Thomas Tuchel said about Kane when announcing his squad last week.
“Thursday is a deserved occasion to celebrate an extraordinary player.”