Harry Kane has long admired the mindset of American sports figures, seeing it as a unique determination that exemplifies the American dream—the notion that success can be achieved through hard work and perseverance.
The England captain’s journey into this philosophy began in 2011, during a difficult phase at Tottenham Hotspur. It was at this point that he developed a keen interest in the NFL, particularly inspired by the story of New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady.
Kane learned about Brady’s career through the documentary The Brady 6, which highlights how Brady was overlooked by all teams in the 2000 NFL draft, ultimately being selected as the 199th pick. By the time Kane viewed the film, Brady had already led the Patriots to three Super Bowl victories. Kane later attended Super Bowl LIII in 2019, where he witnessed the Patriots claim their sixth championship.
Following the game, Brady invited Kane to the team celebration, resulting in a memorable photo of the two together, with Kane wearing a Patriots jersey featuring Brady’s number 12. Their friendship has endured, but Kane’s admiration extends to various NFL figures and sports personalities across the United States.
Kane feels a deep connection to the United States. His experiences in the country have been overwhelmingly positive, recalling his first preseason tour with Spurs in 2012, when fans recognized him on the streets of New York City. The presence of Tottenham supporters in the Big Apple has drawn him back, and he frequently visits New York and Florida, where he enjoys golfing.
During his time in New York, Kane made appearances on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in 2022 and Good Morning America in 2023, where he shared his aspirations of becoming an NFL kicker after his football career. He first expressed this ambition in 2019, stating, “It goes back to that drive to be the best,”
Kane has indeed crafted his own version of the American dream. His ascent at Spurs began in 2014, eventually leading him to become the face of the England national team and its all-time leading goalscorer. In 2023, he made a high-profile move to Bayern Munich, where he has since earned several titles.
“Even if I download a game on my phone, can I be the best in the world? If you play in the Premier League and the World Cup, and you then play in the NFL, would you be considered one of the greatest sportsmen ever?” Kane reflects. “People didn’t expect much from Tom Brady,”
He appreciates the openness of American athletes and the media, noting, “Seeing the way he went about his business, his journey from the start … to go on and be the greatest ever player in his sport is maybe reminiscent of me earlier in my career. In that people doubted me and I worked hard to turn that around. “In terms of the US, it’s how open it is from the athlete and media point of view. Everyone wears their heart on their sleeve and they are maybe more honest in how they talk in the media. I enjoy being here. I’ve had good experiences in pre-season. I come here on holiday a bit to play golf. It’s been good memories.”
Kane’s true American dream will unfold at Dallas Stadium this Wednesday when he leads England in their World Cup opener against Croatia. The setting, an NFL venue, feels fitting, although Kane admits it would have been more special at the Patriots’ Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, where England will face Ghana in their second group match next Tuesday. “That’s probably the one I’m excited to go to being a Patriots fan,” he shares. “I’ve never been to the Gillette Stadium before.”
Kane’s excitement is palpable, yet tempered with a sense of confidence. His demeanor reflects both humility and an awareness of his important role in the global football landscape, especially after an impressive season—netting 61 goals in 51 appearances for Bayern and winning a second Bundesliga title along with the DFB-Pokal.
Despite having participated in five major finals—three with Spurs and two with England—Kane has faced disappointment, having lost each match without scoring. However, he recently turned a corner, netting a second-half hat-trick in Bayern’s 3-0 victory over Stuttgart.
At 32, Kane is experiencing a peak in his performance, with his previous best being 44 goals for Bayern in the 2023-24 season. As discussions about the Ballon d’Or arise, particularly if he excels in the World Cup, Kane acknowledges a change in perception following his successes at Bayern. “There’s a different feeling, for sure,” he states. “For me to have that weight off my shoulders [having won things at Bayern] is important. Especially this year having the trophies and having the cup final where I scored a hat-trick – my first big moment in a final. The perception around me has probably changed in the last few years.”
Kane will earn his 115th cap against Croatia, placing him joint-third on England’s all-time list alongside his idol, David Beckham. They both attended the same school in Chingford, east London. Only Peter Shilton (125) and Wayne Rooney (120) have more caps. Of his 79 international goals, nine have been scored in knockout rounds of major tournaments, a record that no other player has surpassed. Kane is closing in on Gary Lineker’s record of 10 World Cup goals for England.
“I’m coming into this tournament in the best way possible; the best place physically and mentally,” Kane declares. “Throughout a career, there aren’t loads of times when all the pieces of the puzzle will come together at the right moment. Talking now, I feel like I’m in that place. “With every tournament, I always feel under pressure being the goalscorer … people expect you to score and help the team and I guess this year is no different. But I’m comfortable having that responsibility. I’m probably even more comfortable going into this year because of the way the season was for me.”
“Looking back on that with me and him and obviously my wife there, who was just a friend at the time … it’s a pretty crazy picture.”
Kane reminisced about a famous photograph from 2005, taken when he was 11 years old, alongside Beckham at the launch of Beckham’s football academy. Katie Goodland, who is now Kane’s wife, was also in that picture. “The downs have almost motivated me [more] to be better, going back to the last World Cup and the disappointment with the way that ended,”
Reflecting on his journey with England through five tournaments, starting with Euro 2016, Kane admits that he tends to remember the low points more vividly. His most painful moment was the penalty miss during the quarter-final defeat to France at the 2022 World Cup.
“After the time it took me to process it all and move on, it gave me an extra bite, an extra edge to really improve and push on.” he explains. “The messaging will be to go with freedom,”
“The only regrets you can have coming away from tournaments is that you didn’t go for it. You can make mistakes. You can miss penalties like I’ve missed. But I don’t think those are the moments that stop you from sleeping at night.”
“It’s the ones where you feel like you could have given more, you could have been a bit more free, you could have just gone for it. When you lose, you lose anyway. I’d rather lose giving it everything, showing my best abilities, whether you make mistakes or not. The message is just to be free and don’t be afraid of any outcome. Then, we’ll have a great chance.”
