HARRY KANE is England’s all-time top scorer and has clocked up over 500 club appearances.
But, remarkably, the Three Lions skipper claims he is only HALFWAY through his career.
GETTYHarry Kane has yet to win a trophy in his professional career[/caption]
The 30-year-old joined Bayern Munich this summer in pursuit of gloryREX
GETTYThe England skipper has aspirations of playing until he’s 40[/caption]
Striker Kane, who turned 30 in July, not only wants to be part of the bid for Euros glory on home soil in 2028 — but hopes to still be playing as he approaches 40.
Asked about Cristiano Ronaldo, 38, 36-year-old Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski, 35, still starring today, the Bayern Munich ace said: “The perception in football is you hit 30 and people think that is the end.
“But the way I am looking at it is that I almost have the second half of my career left.
“I played in the Spurs first team from 20 or 21, so I’ve had nine or ten years at the highest level and I’m hoping for another eight or nine years at the highest level again.
“It all depends. You see some players who want to make a change or have a different challenge.
“But, at the moment, I want to keep playing. With recovery, sports science and the way the game has adapted, you can play for longer.
“Look at all the players that you mentioned. That makes me believe and shows it is possible to play until your late 30s, and that is what I plan to do.”
Kane, who has 59 goals in 86 Lions appearances, is setting his sights on Friday’s home friendly with Australia, followed by Tuesday’s Euros qualifier against Italy at Wembley.
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GETTYHarry Kane hopes to still be terrorising defences when England host Euro 2028 with Ireland[/caption]
And worryingly for defenders both in Europe and the Bundesliga, Kane reckons he has not even peaked.
He said: “There is definitely room for improvement. I’ve been coming to a stage over the last year or two when it has been coming together.
“Having the experience, knowing your body, knowing the way you want to play, playing in high-pressure games.
“When you actually look at a lot of the top-level players — Ronaldo, Messi, Lewandowski, Zlatan Ibrahimovic — they have almost got better as they hit 30.
“In a lot of sports that happens as well. Everything is maybe settled in your personal life.
“You have got family, you have got kids — so that side is all settled.
“You are comfortable with your body, you are comfortable mentally where you are at and that just allows you to focus on the football.”
Kane is clearly enjoying life in Germany with nine goals and five assists in ten games. The only thing he has yet to crack is the language.
He said: “My German is average, to say the least. I’ve had four, five lessons but it’s not easy. Yet Bayern are pretty strong on it — they want you to learn as much as possible.”
As for his form since moving from Spurs for an initial £86million, Kane added: “I’ve been really happy.
GettyHarry Kane reckons his best is yet to come[/caption]
“I was bought for a lot of money and people expect you to just hit the ground running but it’s not always the case.
“So to have started the way that I have, I’m really proud.”
Kane’s side are currently third in the Bundesliga, although it was impossible yesterday not to ask him about the team currently top of the Premier League.
Unsurprisingly, Kane is desperate for his former club Spurs to stay there all season.
He added: “I have made it clear my whole career that I am a Tottenham fan and I would love to see Tottenham do well.
“There is no other team in the Premier League that I would want to win more than Tottenham.
“Also, I have to be respectful to Bayern Munich.
“Of course, the fans know I will always have a soft spot for Spurs — there is no question about that.
“But I have got to put all my attention on Bayern Munich to make us as successful as possible.
“So, I know that there will be questions, for sure, particularly when Tottenham are doing well. Of course, I hope they do as well as possible.”