By winning the Ballon d’Or, Harry Kane has definitively cemented his place among the world’s greatest soccer stars. Ahead of the Champions League clash between FC Bayern and Atlético Madrid, the Englishman is now receiving special praise. Of all people, Atlético coach Diego Simeone is practically gushing when he thinks of the Munich striker.
At the press conference ahead of Tuesday night’s match, the Argentine was asked how his team planned to stop such a versatile attacker. Instead of revealing a specific game plan, Simeone first took the opportunity to pay a detailed tribute to the Bayern star.
“First of all, congratulations to him, because he absolutely deserves the Ballon d’Or. I think he’s an incredible player. I’ve always liked him,” explained the 55-year-old.
Simeone Impressed by Kane’s Development
The Atlético coach is particularly impressed by the Englishman’s development. Kane has become a much more well-rounded offensive player over the course of his career. “There’s no doubt about how much he has developed and matured over the course of his career. Over the years, he’s found better positions and spaces without ever losing sight of his strength—scoring goals,” Simeone analyzed.
In fact, Kane’s role at FC Bayern is no longer limited to scoring goals. The 33-year-old regularly drops back into midfield, helps build up play, and creates space for his teammates with his movements.
It was precisely these qualities that Simeone highlighted. “You can see how much he gives for the team. You can see how willingly he drops back and helps build up play when necessary.”
Despite his versatile role, Kane remains one thing above all else for the Argentine: a “natural-born goal scorer.”
“He’s an asset to the game of soccer.”
Simeone’s admiration, however, extends far beyond the Bayern striker’s athletic abilities.
The Atlético coach also sees the Ballon d’Or winner as a role model for young soccer players who dream of a great career themselves. “To be honest, I can only congratulate him on his talent, because he’s an asset to soccer and especially to young players who look up to players like him. He’s leaving a legacy and showing the next generation how to make it to the very top: through hard work,” Simeone emphasized.
For Kane, these comments are a special form of recognition. After all, the praise comes from a coach whose teams have been known for years for their uncompromising defensive play.
On Tuesday evening, however, Simeone is likely to do everything in his power to minimize the Englishman’s impact as much as possible.