KEIR RADNEDGE at WEMBLEY —- Wembley was appropriately filled to capacity to salute Harry Kane as England’s captain made history by scaling the peak of 126 caps in a UEFA Nations League duel with Croatia.

One of Kane’s great gifts is perfect timing and the Three Lions home was a perfect setting as the Bayern Munich centre-forward surpassed Peter Shilton’s national team record.

Kane’s international career stands as an extraordinary era of elite consistency, evolving leadership, and individual brilliance. From the moment he debuted against Lithuania in March 2015 – scoring just 79 seconds after stepping onto the pitch – Kane signalled an intent to redefine England’s modern footballing narrative.

Harry Kane . . . Three Lions history man
Handed the captain’s armband by Gareth Southgate in 2018, Kane embraced the responsibility by leading England to a World Cup semi-final and claiming the Golden Boot with six goals in Russia. His movement, deep-lying playmaking, and lethal finishing transformed him into a complete forward, anchoring England through successive European Championship runner-up finals in 2021 and 2024, alongside a bronze-medal campaign at the 2026 World Cup.

In March 2023, Kane surpassed Wayne Rooney to become England’s all-time leading goalscorer, maintaining an astonishing strike rate across qualifiers and major tournaments. His 21 goals on the major tournament stage of 14 at World Cups and seven at European Championships place him far clear of any other English international in history.

Coupled with his Ballon d’Or and European Golden Shoe successes, Kane’s national career represents not just individual longevity, but the ultimate standard of leadership and goalscoring excellence.

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