Harry Kane takes on a Lionel Messi-like role for England

England striker Harry Kane has taken on a critical role similar to Lionel Messi in terms of contributing to the team. Former footballer Stan Collymore explained why this situation is positive for England, evaluating Kane's value to the team and the reflection of his performance at Bayern Munich on the international arena. The record scorer for the Three Lions continues to shine in the tournament with the responsibility he carries on his shoulders, despite being in the shadow of injury concerns. The experienced striker, who won the Bundesliga championship by scoring 61 goals at club level last season, managed to experience five different joys in the 2026 World Cup. This performance elevated him not just to a scorer but to the position of the team's spirit and leader, giving him a similar importance to Messi.

Kane's adventure in the tournament started by shaking the nets twice in the match against Croatia and continued by scoring an important goal in the critical tour match against DR Congo. The star player, who contributed to the score in the Panama match and raised his national team goals to 84, shoulders England's goal-scoring burden. Former footballer Stan Collymore, in his assessment of how Kane reached this level, emphasized the uncertainty of how the team would perform in Kane's absence. He characterized the lack of a classic striker like Kane among young players as a problem for the future in case of injuries. Collymore expressed doubts that players like Watkins or Bellingham could provide the consistency of Kane, arguing that England is 'bare' in this regard.

Kane's 60-plus goals in Germany ensure he comes to tournaments with high confidence, but it also did not escape notice that his performance at the 2024 European Championship remained below expectations. However, coach Thomas Tuchel challenged the criticism, stating that it is natural for England to rely on Kane just as Argentina relies on Messi and France on Mbappe. The head coach appreciated Kane's years of loyalty to the national team and his inclusion in every squad, contrasting with many players' tendency to skip friendly matches. Kane's prioritization of the national team over club football made him the undisputed leader of the team.

Collymore particularly emphasized the rewarding effect of Kane's constant presence in national team squads and its positive reflection on his on-field efficiency. It was stated that the captain, who skips no organization such as the Nations League, friendly matches, or qualifiers, retained his place in the squad despite changes under Gareth Southgate and now Tuchel. This consistency has made Kane a vital element for England not only as a scorer but also with his general on-field performance and captaincy. His attitude of accepting no exclusions from the squad or excuses stood out as the most distinguishing feature separating him from others.

As England chases the biggest prize once again in the World Cup under the leadership of Harry Kane, they aim to end the 60-year trophy drought. The team will face a difficult match to be played away at high altitude against Mexico in the round of 16. Ahead of this critical match at Mexico Stadium, the question of whether Kane can carry his team on his back to victory like Messi did for Argentina remains on the agenda. Kane's performance is seen as the single factor that will directly determine England's future in the tournament.