‘That’s the aim’ -Harry Kane reveals Cristiano Ronaldo target ahead of England’s Nations League tie with Ireland

Kane has set himself a target to thrive late into his thirties, just like Cristiano Ronaldo. England’s record goalscorer looked leggy at Euro 2024 but he has started the Bundesliga in form, opening his campaign with a goal against Freiburg.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Ronaldo scored his 900th career goal in Portugal’s game against Croatia on Thursday, and he has maintained an extraordinary level approaching his forties. The Portuguese superstar is often the role model for most players these days due to his incredible talent matched with unrivalled dedication, but Kane wants to try to match the 39-year-old’s achievements in his thirties.

  • WHAT KANE SAID

    Kane said:  “Cristiano is the benchmark, not only being one of the best footballers ever, but also the benchmark of how long you can play for at a higher level. I feel in a really good place, both physically and mentally. I’m sure there will be noise around me, like there was around Cristiano – and there still is around Cristiano – but as long as you keep performing and keep doing what you know you can, that’s all you can do.

    “The Ronaldos, the Messis, the Benzemas, the Lewandowskis, almost upped their level as they got into their mid-thirties. Cristiano is showing that every week, every time he plays, every time he scores so, from my point of view, that’s the aim.”

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    WHAT NEXT FOR KANE?

    The 31-year-old’s immediate focus is to have a more positive England camp, in which he may make his 100th cap for his country, than he did in Germany. When he leads the Three Lions out against Ireland, Kane will have tallied 99 appearances, scoring 66 goals. After these two games though, he will then turn his focus to Bayern Munich and regaining the Bundesliga crown off Bayer Leverkusen, while also putting up another clinical goal-scoring season.