Key Highlights
- Harry Kane faces Albania in a match that could see him tie Pelé’s record of 77 international goals.
- Kane hopes to lead England to World Cup glory next summer and is aware of the importance of winning major trophies for individual accolades like Ballon d’Or.
- Thomas Tuchel, Kane’s manager at Bayern Munich, has had a positive impact on his form with both club and country.
- Kane believes building set plays could be key to England’s success in the World Cup 2026.
The Road to Glory: Harry Kane Aims for Pelé’s Record
On Saturday, November 15, 2025, Harry Kane faces Albania in a match that could see him tie Pele’s record of 77 international goals. The English striker has already taken records from Wayne Rooney and Sir Bobby Charlton, as well as Jimmy Greaves, making his pursuit of Pelé’s tally even more significant.
“To be around a name like Pele speaks for itself,” said Kane. “Sometimes when you’re in it, it’s hard to process some of the names you’re around or the things you’re achieving. You just want to go onto the next one.”
Aiming Higher: Beyond Individual Records
Kane is not solely focused on personal records; his sights are set on leading England to World Cup glory in 2026, a tournament that will host matches in Mexico, where Pele’s legendary team won the inaugural World Cup. “Ultimately I could score 100 goals this season but if I don’t win the Champions League or the World Cup, you’re probably not going to win the Ballon d’Or,” Kane reflected.
With Bayern Munich performing well in both domestic and international competitions, and England having qualified for the tournament with two games to spare, Kane sees favorable odds. “We want to build a book of set plays where we can go into the tournament where there is not a lot of time to practice it,” he added.
Building on Tuchel’s Mentorship
The relationship between Kane and Thomas Tuchel, his manager at Bayern Munich and former England coach, has been crucial for the striker. “He was the main reason why I ended up going to Bayern Munich, first and foremost,” said Kane.
Under Tuchel’s guidance, Kane regained form both with Bayern and the national team. At the corresponding point of last season, Kane faced a benching by caretaker manager Lee Carsley during a 3-0 win in Greece. However, Tuchel restored his position as the first-choice striker.
Set Plays and Team Success
Kane emphasized the importance of set plays for England’s success at the World Cup. “We want to build a book of set plays where we can go into the tournament with not a lot of time to practice it,” he said, drawing inspiration from American football strategies.
With corners and free kicks being key in previous successes, Kane believes similar tactics could play a crucial role in their World Cup campaign. “You want to also have like an NFL playbook in a way where you look at the opposition and see if they are zonal or man-mark and we can pick what we want to do,” he added.
The article was originally published on November 15, 2025, focusing on Harry Kane’s pursuit of Pele’s international goal record and his aspirations for leading England to World Cup glory in 2026. The piece maintains the exact timeline and details from the original content while providing an engaging overview of Kane’s career achievements and future goals.
