Harry Kane will become England’s most-capped player when he leads the Three Lions out against Croatia at Wembley in Thursday’s Nations League fixture.
The England captain will win his 126th cap, moving beyond the record set by former goalkeeper Peter Shilton, who had held the mark since 1990.
The achievement will complete a remarkable year for the Bayern Munich striker, who became the first English player in 25 years to win the Ballon d’Or in October. His pride at receiving the award was clear during an emotional acceptance speech at the ceremony in London.
Kane, 33, is already England’s leading goalscorer with 91 goals and holds Tottenham’s club record with 280 goals. Since leaving his boyhood club for Bayern in 2023, he has scored 156 times for the German side and won the first silverware of his career, claiming Bundesliga titles in 2025 and 2026.
His influence has also grown beyond his goalscoring. Kane reportedly made clear his dissatisfaction with England manager Thomas Tuchel’s defensive approach during the World Cup semi-final defeat by Argentina in July.
England had taken a 1-0 lead after Tuchel committed more players to defence, but Argentina scored twice in the closing stages to prevent Kane from reaching his first World Cup final.
Before the September international break, Kane is said to have led a candid squad discussion with Tuchel about the manager’s tactics during clear-the-air talks.
Bayer Leverkusen defender Jarell Quansah, who plays alongside Kane for England and faces him in the Bundesliga, believes the striker is widely respected in Germany. Kane became the first Bundesliga player to win the Ballon d’Or since Matthias Sammer in 1996.
“The whole Bundesliga, to be honest, are super happy because they’ve not had a winner for so long. They’ve obviously taken to him so well, and everyone knows his quality,” Quansah told the BBC this week.
“He’s a scary player to play against. No one wants to play against him. He’s almost certain to get a goal every week, and everyone knows his quality.
“I think he’s had a few nice receptions from different crowds as well, which is always nice.”
Kane announced himself on the international stage by scoring 79 seconds after coming on as a substitute for his England debut against Lithuania in 2015.
He remains determined to become the first male England captain to lift a major international trophy since Bobby Moore led the team to World Cup glory in 1966. Kane has already suffered defeat in the European Championship finals of 2021 and 2024.
Quansah said Kane’s leadership is evident in his conduct away from matches and training.
“He’s an ultimate professional and he’s done everything. It’s the standards he sets off the pitch,” he said.
“He will always be the first outside for meetings. He’s always waiting for the squad to get together. He’ll never let the squad do anything by themselves.
“Him as a whole, he’s just a true great captain.”
