Harry Kane has had an outstanding season with FC Bayern. He also showed he was already in top form for the English national team at the 2026 World Cup. That has impressed even an England legend.
On Wednesday, Kane tied Gary Lineker’s record of ten World Cup goals after scoring a brace in the 4-2 victory over Croatia.
However, former German national team player Dietmar Hamann downplayed this milestone, suggesting that Kane’s record isn’t all that impressive, since seven of those goals came in group stage matches against weaker opponents and only one goal was scored from open play in five knockout matches.
Lineker raves about Kane
That said, Hamann seems to be quite alone in his opinion. After Jürgen Klopp had already spoken highly of Kane on Magenta TV, none other than Lineker himself has now added his praise.
He praised Kane as “the greatest English striker we’ve ever had” after the England captain tied his World Cup scoring record. On his podcast “The Rest is Football,” Lineker joked: “I’m absolutely thrilled that Kane has tied my record. But alphabetically, I’m still ahead of him, and that’s all that matters.”
He continued: “Seriously, though: In my opinion, Harry Kane is the best English striker we’ve ever had. I really believe that now. His versatile style of play—that’s what sets him apart from everyone else, in my view.”
Alan Shearer, Lineker’s co-host and also a former captain of the English national team, added: “Harry Kane saw how Messi, Mbappé, and Haaland came on and scored right away. He had to follow suit. It’s only a matter of time before he breaks your record.”
That could happen as early as the next match against Ghana on Tuesday evening (10 p.m.).