Harry Kane hits milestone as he becomes England’s all-time highest goalscorer

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By Martin Graham | 24th Mar 2023

A goal for Harry Kane in England’s 2-1 win over Italy on Thursday night saw the Tottenham forward write his name further in the history books. His 54^th strike for the Three Lions saw him surpass Wayne Rooney to become the nations’ top-scorer of all time.

Kane was handed his England senior debut back in March 2015, with Roy Hodgson in charge of the Three Lions at the time. By several standards, Kane was a ‘late bloomer’ and it took until he was 21 years and seven months old when he bagged a debut goal as a substitute against Lithuania in an European qualifier.

Having started to score goals almost every time he starred for England, Kane soon became a fan-favourite and was named England Captain by Gareth Southgate in May 2018, leading into the World Cup in Russia. He led his new role by example, netting six goals and winning the Golden Boot at the tournament.

Since then, he has unarguably been the key man for England and remains their main outlet for goals. He bagged 16 goals for England in 2021, the most in a calendar year by a single player for the Three Lions.

Still only 29 years of age, Kane is surely expected to add a reasonable amount of goals to his current 54 tally and it could take something very special for another player to break this record in the future.

Kane reacts to latest goal milestone

It was inevitable that he would break the record and when the opportunity came in the form of a spot kick, he made sure to make the moment his own.

Speaking after the game, the England captain revealed that record-breaking moment meant everything to him.

“It means everything,” he told Channel 4. “I was so excited to put the England shirt on and get back out here and get the campaign started for next year’s Euros.

“It had to be a penalty and once it hit the back of the net… huge emotion. A magical moment.”

In response to Kane’s strike, Rooney posted on Twitter: “Congratulations to Harry Kane on becoming England’s all-time leading goalscorer. I knew it wouldn’t take long but that was quick. Great man, unbelievable goalscorer and an England legend. Congrats Harry.”

That tribute meant a lot to Kane as well, who started his England career alongside Rooney and watched the former Manchester United striker claim the record back in 2015.

“Big thanks,” Kane said. “I was on the pitch when Wayne broke the record. I know what it meant to him and I was so proud of him.

“I remember when I gave him the boot for breaking the record, he said he would be giving it back to me one day. A special man.”