Jude Bellingham has described Harry Kane as the greatest player ever to represent England after the captain marked his record-equalling appearance with two goals in a 3-0 Nations League victory over Czechia.
Kane won his 125th cap on Tuesday, moving level with Peter Shilton as England’s most-capped player. He celebrated the milestone by scoring twice and helping to create the opening goal.
The Bayern Munich striker has now scored 91 times for his country. He also became the oldest player in England’s history to score two goals in consecutive appearances.
Kane has found the net 13 times for England in 2026, the highest total by an England player in a calendar year since he scored 16 in 2021.
Bellingham, who plays for Real Madrid, was unequivocal when asked about Kane’s place in England history.
“There’s not much more you can say that hasn’t already been said,” he told ITV Sport.
“From my perspective, first and foremost, he is an unbelievable human being, as a captain and a man.
“He is the best England player to ever wear the shirt and it is an honour to play with him. He is pretty unmatched.
“He’s scoring goals for fun, he goes deep and he gets tackles in. He’s only getting better.”
The appearance was Bellingham’s 36th for England, giving him a share of the record for caps won by a player representing a non-English club. He is level with David Beckham.
Only Kane, with Bayern Munich, on 41 caps, and Owen Hargreaves, also while at Bayern, with 39, have made more England appearances while playing for a club outside England.
England’s victory also took their total to 39 goals in 16 matches during 2026. Their highest tally in a calendar year remains the 52 they scored in 2021.
Thomas Tuchel’s side are second in Nations League Group A3 behind Spain and require one more point to secure qualification for the quarter-finals.
Bellingham said the result was important after England’s 7-0 victory over Croatia had raised expectations for another emphatic performance.
“It was what we needed,” he said.
“I know it is difficult when teams come here because they either sit deep and try and frustrate us. We had just come off the 7-0 [win v Croatia] and we were itching for more but we got the job done.”
Tuchel said Kane’s latest contribution was typical of the England captain’s standards.
“It’s what he does. I don’t take it for granted, it’s just exceptional every single match,” he said.
