Last night, Harry Kane scored a penalty as England beat Italy 2-1 in Naples in their first match of the Euro 2024 qualifiers. The goal made Kane the highest-scoring player for England with 54 goals, breaking Wayne Rooney’s record that had stood for over five years.
Whereas it took Rooney 120 matches to score 53 goals for England, Kane needed 81 to break the record. And the 29-year-old Tottenham Hotspur player did not hide his emotions after achieving the feat.
“Yeah it means everything. We were so excited to put the England shirt back on and get back out here and get the campaign started for the Euros next year,” an elated Harry Kane said in the post-match address when asked what it means to be England’s all-time top scorer, according to Sky Sports.
“It had to be a penalty, of course, and once it hit the back of the net, it was just so much emotion. Just thanks to all the players, the staff, the fans, my wife, my family back home and everyone who has helped me get to this stage. It is just a magical moment.”
Kane is just 29, and if he keeps playing at a high level as he has been playing for the previous seven to eight years, he could score many more goals for his country and stretch the record farther ahead as he said this is the best he has felt in his career.
“I don’t like to look too far in the future but I’m 29, and I’m feeling fit and strong – the best I’ve felt in my career. I hope I have many more years. Playing for England is probably my greatest feeling in football. I want to do it for as long as possible.”
Kane made his England debut in March 2015 against Lithuania in the Euro 2016 qualifying match and it took him just 79 seconds to score his first goal for his country. The rest, as they say, is history.
