
Harry Kane: ‘Ronaldo and Messi got better after 30 – my career is only at half-time’
Harry Kane doesn’t drink. He enjoyed Bayern Munich’s annual trip to Oktoberfest in full lederhosen and ate a giant pretzel, but his jug of beer was barely touched. At the hotel where he lives, meals are carefully planned by his chef: breakfast is an omelette or yoghurt and granola; lunch and dinner consists of salad and vegetables topped off by a rotating carousel of white fish, chicken or beef. Sometimes he has salmon as a treat. He lives away from his wife and children, in a country where he does not speak the language after only a handful of lessons, in a city he cannot enjoy without being mobbed. His family will move over but for now it is a solitary, unremitting existence: eat, sleep, play, recover, repeat. It is not quite the life of a monk, but when children dream of becoming England captain, they probably don’t dream of this. This, though, is sometimes the life of an elite footballer. He has climbed to the top of the game; he loves it here and he wants to stay. Kane is the sort of person who has it all mapped out, from his ambition to play in the NFL to his retirement in Surrey, where he is building a new family home. So when he says his career is only at half-time, aged 30, you know it is not just bluster but part of a considered masterplan. “The perception in sport is you hit 30 and people start to think that’s the end,” he says. “But the way I’m looking at it is that I almost have the second half of my career [to come]. I’ve had nine or 10 years at the highest level and I’m hoping for another eight or nine years at the highest level again.” His best years, Kane says, might still be ahead of him. “There is definitely room for improvement. When you look at a lot of the top-level players – Ronaldo, Messi, Lewandowski, Ibrahimovic – they have almost got better as they hit 30. In a lot of sports that happens. Everything is maybe settled in your personal life, you are comfortable with your body, you are comfortable mentally and that just allows you to focus on football.” Kane is sitting in a colourful side room at St George’s Park, where he is on England duty ahead of Friday’s friendly with Australia and a Euros qualifier against Italy next week. England teammates have been asking about life at Bayern, where Kane has made a fast start: nine goals and four assists in nine games. The manager Thomas Tuchel has come under scrutiny after one or two disjointed performances, with Bayern third in the table – Tottenham, ironically, are top of the Premier League. But Kane has impressed in these early weeks. “There’s a lot of other stuff that goes into a transfer – the personal stuff, trying to find houses, living in hotels, not having my family with me,” he says. “It’s all stuff I’m not used to. So to be able to have started the way I have, I’m really proud. I could have scored a few more goals, I’ve had quite a few chances. But if you’d have told me before the transfer this is what I’d be on, the amount of goals and assists and wins, I’d have taken that.” Football in Germany is well suited to longevity, with a winter break each season and one less cup competition to contend with than English football. Many players consider retirement from international duty to prolong their club careers, but in that sense it is almost the opposite with Kane. His workload has lightened, and he has no intention of ever turning down his country. “I will probably keep [playing for England] until I’m not picked anymore, and then accept that and take it on the chin,” he says. Might he lead England into a home Euros in 2028? “Who knows? Hopefully, I’m aiming to still be around by then. I feel as good as I’ve ever felt before and I’d like to think my career will go to my late thirties, at least.” Kane is a friend and admirer of Tom Brady, the oldest player to win the NFL’s MVP award, aged 40. As a teenager struggling on loan at Leicester City, Kane sat alone in a rented flat wondering how he was ever going to make it at Spurs when he couldn’t even get a game in the Championship. There he came across a documentary about Brady on YouTube, charting the quarterback’s rise from obscurity, and he felt inspired to chase his own dream. A decade on, Kane is back where it all started, spending plenty of time alone again, albeit in slightly smarter accommodation. It is a symptom of his determination to stay at the top of the game and to prove he belongs at one of the biggest clubs in the world. And perhaps what captures Kane’s unique mindset, what marks him out as one of England’s greatest ever footballers, is that he is never finished. “I definitely think there are levels [to reach],” he says. “Being at Bayern Munich now, I can keep pushing myself to see how good I can get.” To Kane, the second half has only just begun. Read More On this day in 2019: England lose long unbeaten qualifying record in Prague Harry Kane dreaming of leading England to Euro 2028 glory on home soil I am a Tottenham fan – Harry Kane wants Spurs to win Premier League Football rumours: Wayne Rooney in the running for Birmingham job ‘Role model’ David Beckham reached out after Hampden Park hounding, says Maguire Maguire reveals Beckham reached out during difficult England moment
2023-10-11 16:29

2023 Women's World Cup: Utter resilience, the Reggae Girlz are impossible to ignore
In 2010, the Jamaica Football Federation cut the women's football program, 13 years later, the Reggae Girlz are on the brink of the knockout rounds of the Women's World Cup.10 years ago, this team was merely a thing of the past.The lack of funding for the team forced the Jamaicans ...
2023-07-30 22:58

Marc Guehi makes transfer decision amid Chelsea & Man Utd interest
Marc Guehi plans to stay with Crystal Palace until the summer despite interest from Chelsea, Man Utd, Newcastle, Tottenham & Bayern Munich.
2023-11-30 18:27

3 Saints to blame for Jaguars loss featuring still-frozen Carr-led offense
The New Orleans Saints offense continues to be a massive pain point for the team despite fielding plenty of high-power weapons.
2023-10-20 11:45

Sergio Ramos returns to boyhood club Sevilla on one-year deal
Sergio Ramos has returned to boyhood club Sevilla after signing a one-year deal with the Andalusian club. The 37-year-old former Spain and Real Madrid captain, a free agent after leaving Paris St Germain in June, has returned to Sevilla 18 years after leaving to join Real Madrid. Sevilla announced on their official website that Ramos had passed a medical on Monday morning before signing a 12-month contract. LaLiga club Sevilla said: “Sevilla FC have reached an agreement for the signing of Sergio Ramos. “The academy graduate is returning to the club 18 years after he signed for Real Madrid in 2005, aged 19.” Ramos progressed through Sevilla’s academy, making his first-team debut as an 18-year-old, and went on to make 49 appearances in all competitions before joining Real Madrid in 2005 for £23million. He scored 101 goals in 671 appearances in total for Madrid during a trophy-laden 16 years, which included five LaLiga titles and four Champions League wins, before joining PSG on a two-year deal in 2021. Ramos, who won two Ligue 1 titles with PSG, made a record 180 appearances for Spain, scoring 23 goals, and won both the World Cup, in 2010, and the European Championship, twice, in 2008 and 2012. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live
2023-09-05 01:54

Leao fires Milan level with leaders Inter, Juve fall at Sassuolo
Rafael Leao ended a difficult week with the only goal in Saturday's 1-0 win over Verona which drew AC Milan level with Serie A leaders Inter Milan, while Juventus fell to their first...
2023-09-24 04:53

Bruno Fernandes warns Alejandro Garnacho he cannot relax at Manchester United
Bruno Fernandes has been delighted by Alejandro Garnacho’s progress but warned the Manchester United teenager that he cannot relax if he is going to fulfil his potential. A year and two days after his starring role in the club’s FA Cup Youth Cup triumph against Nottingham Forest, the 18-year-old was once again in goalscoring form at Old Trafford on Saturday. Garnacho had been out for two months with an ankle injury and he returned with a bang against Wolves, with the substitute scoring a fine, late goal in front of the Stretford End to wrap up a 2-0 win. Skipper Fernandes threaded through the Argentinian to score and hopes the nascent talent can “score much more until the end of the season.” “Obviously, we know Garna can change games,” the Portugal midfielder said. “He plays with pace, he can take players one against one. “But he’s still developing himself, so we don’t have to go and push so much to him because he’s still a young kid. “He can do great things, but in the future he has to do much better than actually he is doing because he has more than the capability to be even better than he is actually (right now). “He’s been doing amazing for the first season he’s been playing in the Premier League, with more minutes, with more consistency. He’s doing great, but we all know he can do much more for us.” Garnacho recently signed a new deal keeping him at Old Trafford until 2028 after impressing in his first full season as a first-team player. He has also won around Erik ten Hag having irked him during pre-season, with Fernandes claiming he “didn’t have the best attitude” during that period. “That message was from the manager, it was not from me,” Fernandes said. “I just heard what the manager said. “What I have to say to Garnacho, I tell him at the training ground, whenever we are eating, on the training ground or wherever. “If he wants to hear, he hears. If not, he doesn’t but I try to help. “I think he did an interview talking about me trying to help him a lot of times, and that’s what I’m trying to do. “But, obviously, as I said, he’s still young, and I don’t want to give too much compliments because you know when you’re young, you get too many compliments, you can get a little bit relaxed and everything. “We need this Alejandro coming on and making goals, making assists, getting back to recover balls – everything. “But I think if he wasn’t doing what he needed to do, he wouldn’t be playing. We need this Alejandro coming on and making goals, making assists, getting back to recover balls – everything Bruno Fernandes on Alejandro Garnacho “At the beginning of the season, the manager didn’t give him any chances because he thought that he wasn’t being the best, and now he’s getting his chances. “He’s been playing a lot this season because he’s training well, he’s doing what he has to do and he’s getting his rewards – and the team are getting the rewards as well, and that’s the most important thing.” Garnacho’s adaptation from youth football to the top end has also impressed Fernandes, saying his team-mate is reaping the rewards of his hard work. “I think he’s doing very well and he’s training every time with us, so that makes him be more prepared for the games,” he said. “But mentally he’s being much better also because I think he understood what it takes to be a professional player. “He is doing that, taking that and he is working a lot also in the gym with the coaches, so he is getting his rewards. “He’s getting his rewards because he is training well because if he wasn’t he is not even playing I’m pretty sure.” Garnacho’s return is a welcome boost for United with three Premier League games left in the race for the top four before the FA Cup final against Manchester City. “We know it will be tough to get the top four but it depends on ourselves and everything is in our hands so we have to do our job,” Fernandes added. “I’m not worried about Liverpool – I’m worried about us doing our job because it’s about ourselves. “Like I said, if we do our job properly, if we win our games, we will be in the Champions League so we don’t need to look at the table or look at other teams.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Geraint Thomas assumes Giro lead as Covid dashes Remco Evenepoel’s hopes James Anderson suffers ‘mild’ groin strain one month out from Ashes Cameron Norrie advances at Italian Open to set up Novak Djokovic last-16 clash
2023-05-15 05:56

Magic beat Giannis, Bucks 112-97 for first win over Milwaukee in Orlando since 2018
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Paolo Banchero had 26 points and 12 rebounds, Orlando’s Wagner brothers combined for 43 points and the Magic dealt the Milwaukee Bucks their second straight loss, 112-97 on Saturday night.
2023-11-12 11:21

Missouri and Tide rise, Georgia stays on top as SEC winds down regular season
The Southeastern Conference entered the final week of the regular season with two playoff contenders, two teams already seeking new head coaches and one of the leading Heisman Trophy candidates
2023-11-22 19:22

3 Texas Rangers to blame for letting Astros back into the ALCS
The Texas Rangers have given the Houston Astros life. After losing Game 3 at home, Texas shouldn't feel all that confident heading into Game 4.
2023-10-19 11:46

Woakes' double strike revives England's bid to level Ashes
Chris Woakes removed Australia openers David Warner and Usman Khawaja to revive England's hopes of a series-levelling win on the last day of the fifth and final Ashes...
2023-07-31 19:15

Scherzer costs Texas $22.5M, with Mets to pay Rangers just over $35.5M through 2024
The New York Mets are paying the Texas Rangers $35.51 million over the next 14 months as part of the Max Scherzer trade
2023-08-01 00:22
You Might Like...

Win $200 GUARANTEED From $1 Bet Today With Bet365 MLB Sign-Up Promo!

Blackhawks get goals from Dickinson, 3 others, top Kraken 4-3

Did Oli Marmol take a shot at one of Cardinals top prospects?

Sauce Gardner voted top cornerback by panel of AP Pro Football Writers

Barcelona forward rules out summer transfer

Hamlin returns to NFL play seven months after cardiac arrest

US team liberated after winning equal pay battle: Alex Morgan

Germany coach calls for 'balance' after World Cup penalty glut