Harry Kane loses Haaland battle and Golden Boot battle ahead of Norway draw
Harry Kane brushed off comparisons with Erling Haaland and insisted winning the World Cup with England is more important than the Golden Boot as the two star forwards prepare for Saturday’s quarter-final against Norway.
The England captain enters the last eight matches one goal behind Haaland in the race for the tournament’s top goalscorer award. Haaland has seven goals, while Kane has six, with Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe leading the standings on eight.
Despite the individual battle adding another sub-plot to the quarter-final, Kane made it clear he remains firmly focused on helping England reach the semi-finals.
“My main goal is to win the World Cup with England, not the Golden Boot,” Kane told reporters on Friday.
“But I also know I’m a goalscorer. I’m a number nine. So if I score goals, of course it helps the team.”
Asked if he considered himself a better striker than Haaland, Kane rejected the comparison, saying the two strikers have very different styles.
“It’s impossible for me to answer. I think we’re almost completely different players. I know we’re both older forwards, but we play almost two different positions,” Kane said.
“I see myself as a different player, even though I score the same goals. I like to maybe touch the ball a little more, but I can also play as a possible nine.”
Kane who won the Golden Boot at the 2018 World Cupwas equally generous in his assessment of the Norway captain, naming Haaland as one of the game’s most complete finishers.
“Erling has been unbelievable. Physically he’s a machine, he’s a beast. His finishing is at the highest level and of course his goalscoring record speaks for itself,” Kane said.
“I have a lot of respect for him as a player, as a fellow professional. Of course I hope he has a quiet day tomorrow, but I think his overall performances over the last few years speak for themselves. He’s a fantastic player.”
Saturday’s game will also be a personal milestone for Kane, who is set to equal Wayne Rooney’s record of 120 appearances as England’s most capped player in the outfield.
The 32-year-old said matching Rooney’s feat was a proud moment but insisted he remained focused on the immediate challenge rather than long-term records.
“Obviously we are extremely proud to have reached the same limits as Wazza, one of England’s greatest ever players,” Kane said.
“I don’t like to look too far into the future. I like to take maybe a month or six weeks at a time and set small goals over the course of the season.
“Obviously this season has gone very well in that respect, but there are still important games to play. So I think that’s what keeps me hungry.”
England manager Thomas Tuchel praised Kane’s leadership and influence, saying the captain continues to set the standard on and off the pitch.
“We talk about him in every game because he decides every game for us,” Tuchel said.
“He’s our leader, he’s leading by example. He’s in the form of his life and in the prime of his career. He’s got the mindset of a team player. He’s ready to lead by example and push everybody, always ready to take responsibility, always ready to perform and help us. It’s a privilege to have him as a captain and a privilege to be his coach.”
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Issued by:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
11 Jul 2026 06:41 IST