Harry Kane will equal Sir David Beckham’s England record of 115 caps when he leads the Three Lions against Croatia in the opening match of their latest international tournament. The milestone holds special significance for Kane, who admired Beckham as a boy growing up in East London and attended the same school, Chingford Foundation School. A photograph capturing an 11-year-old Kane alongside Beckham and his future wife, Katie Goodland, at the launch of Beckham’s football academy in 2005 has become emblematic of his journey from aspiring youth to national captain.

Kane, now 32, is England’s all-time leading scorer with 79 goals and prepares for his sixth major tournament. His career has been marked by highs and lows, including a critical penalty miss that contributed to England’s quarter-final defeat against France at the 2022 World Cup. Reflecting on that disappointment, Kane said it motivated him to improve. “The downs have almost motivated me to be better... It gave me an extra bite, an extra edge to really improve and push on,” he explained.

Since joining Bayern Munich, Kane has reached new heights, scoring 61 goals across all competitions this season and winning several trophies, including cup finals where he has delivered crucial performances. The striker believes lifting silverware has eased some of the pressure that comes with leading England. “To have that weight off my shoulders is important,” Kane noted, highlighting how recent club success has affected how he is perceived both externally and by teammates.

As captain, Kane emphasizes a message of freedom and confidence to his squad ahead of their campaign. “We have an extremely strong team, a physical team. That’s going to be a big aspect of our game,” he said. “The only regrets you can have coming away from tournaments is that you didn’t go for it... I’d rather lose giving it everything, showing my best abilities, whether you make mistakes or not.”

While cautious about the immediate expectations, Kane admits to visualizing what has eluded Beckham—a World Cup triumph. “It’s hard not to think about lifting it,” he said, though he adds that such thoughts are not constant, but rather occasional mental pictures that spur him on.

Kane’s leadership and form position him as a focal point of England’s pursuit to end a 60-year wait for a World Cup title. The encounter against Croatia holds added resonance, coming eight years after England’s heartbreak in the 2018 semi-final against the same opponents. With new manager Thomas Tuchel at the helm, Kane looks to build on past experiences and lead England deeper into the tournament.