Harry Kane feels he is finally being recognised as one of the best strikers in the world - but he desperately wants to be known as a winner.
Kane’s move to Bayern Munich last year may not have secured the glut of trophies everyone expected when he decided to quit Tottenham. But the England captain still scored 44 goals to claim the European Golden Shoe - and it would be ironic if the first piece of silverware he lifts is the European Championship on German soil next month.
Kane is tough enough to take on the cynics who have revelled in his failure to lift a cup in Bavaria. He feels at the peak of his powers. He said: “I’d say that, from an outside point of view, I'm probably now respected more as one of the top strikers in the world.
“When you're at a club like Bayern Munich, that comes if you have a great season. It’s similar to Real Madrid, Barcelona and all the top, top clubs around the world.
“Maybe I now have a different kind of aura. Nothing's really changed in how I prepare, how I go into games, and my confidence is still the same as it’s been throughout my whole career.
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“But maybe when you play for a club like Bayern, you get looked at in a different light. It’s good for me, because it raises my profile and helps me to really compete to be one of the best players in the world. People have their opinions. It’s just the way football fans are.
“But I am extremely proud of what I have achieved in my career so far - but I also know that I want to have trophies to show for it. I feel like I’ve got many years ahead of me, I feel like I’m at a real peak in my career, and hopefully for the next four or five years that will be the case.”
Harry Kane spoke to the media ahead of England's Euro 2024 opener (UEFA via Getty Images)Kane has a record 63 goals for his country. If he continues to find the back of the net in Germany, then Gareth Southgate ’s men will go close. Six years ago, he went to the World Cup in Russia insisting he could be the tournament’s top goalscorer - and went home with the Golden Boot.
If anything, the 30-year-old’s belief in his own ability - and those around him - continues to grow after a season which also saw Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, Bukayo Saka and Cole Palmer excel.
Kane, who will lead his country in their opening group game against Serbia, said: “I know what I am capable of. I know what I have done year after year. There is no reason why I cannot be the top scorer at this tournament.
Kane is hoping to lead the Three Lions to Euros glory (Getty Images)“If we do well, I expect myself to be up there. To be scoring goals means I will be helping the team. That confidence is still there. I’m at my peak. Not just my physical peak. It’s also my mental peak, in terms of understanding the game, tactics and the space to run into.
“I am in a really comfortable place in terms of what I am capable of - but as always in these tournaments I will be judged on goals. So hopefully I will get a few.”
Kane added: “I think we're all at that stage now where we want to have a great tournament, want to make everyone proud - but we want to win. We've definitely had talented squads throughout my time as an England player.
“But I think what separates this one is how good everyone is playing leading up to this tournament. Phil was player of the year in the Premier League, Jude in La Liga, I had a decent season in the Bundesliga.
"I’m excited with this squad and to be leading them is a pleasure for me. I think we all just want to get out there and get started now.”
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