July 15th 2024.
On Monday, the England team returned home after a tough Euro 2024 tournament where they were runners-up. Despite facing defeat in another final and struggling throughout the competition, captain Harry Kane has no plans of retiring from international football. He may have been subbed off in five of the seven games, including the final against Spain, but he still managed to finish as the joint-top goalscorer with three goals.
However, there have been some concerns over Kane's performance, especially with the emergence of young players Ollie Watkins and Ivan Toney who made crucial contributions in the knockout stages. Manager Gareth Southgate even admitted that Kane didn't quite meet the expectations after picking up an injury towards the end of the season. This has led to questions about his place in the team going forward, with some even speculating about his future in the national team.
But those close to Kane have dismissed any talks of retirement and believe that he is determined to play for England in the upcoming 2026 World Cup and beyond. The 30-year-old, who has scored 66 goals in 98 games for his country, had a prolific season before the Euros, scoring 44 goals in his first season for Bayern Munich after leaving Tottenham.
Former England striker Gary Lineker has also expressed his concerns about Kane's performance at the Euros, saying that he was not himself throughout the tournament. In a podcast, Lineker shared his own experience of his legs starting to give up at the age of 30 and retiring from international football at 32. However, he also mentioned that Kane may have been tired or carrying an injury that affected his performance, but it's still something to think about as he approaches the age of 31.
On Monday, as the England squad arrived back home and went their separate ways, Kane hinted at his thoughts turning towards the 2026 World Cup in a social media post. He thanked the fans for their support and expressed his disappointment in not being able to achieve their target of winning the Euros. He also praised the team and staff for reaching the final and vowed to come back stronger in an England shirt.
While Kane's international career is expected to continue, Southgate's future as the manager remains uncertain. His contract with the FA expires in December, but they are keen on extending it and having him lead the team in the next World Cup. When asked about Southgate's future, Kane stated that they all love the manager, but it's ultimately his decision to make. He believes that now is not the time to talk about it, as the team is still hurting from the defeat.
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