World Cup: Heartbroken Kane Responds to 'Last Dance' Talk After England's Semifinal Exit
Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- England was eliminated from the 2026 World Cup after losing in the semifinals.
- Star striker Harry Kane, 32, did not directly address retirement rumors but stated he never sets limits for himself.
- Kane holds England's records for most appearances and goals, but has yet to win a major international trophy.
England's hopes for the 2026 World Cup title were dashed as they fell in the semifinals, marking another major tournament without silverware for the team. Thirty-two-year-old star striker Harry Kane, often dubbed the "bridesmaid" of major tournaments, faced questions about his future after the loss. While he did not confirm if this was his last World Cup appearance, he remained resolute about his commitment to the sport. "It's too early to talk about this now. You all know me, I always take it year by year, see how I feel," Kane said. "The England national team is my pride and joy, and playing football is what I love most. Obviously, four years is a long time, and I'll be 33, but as you see Messi, he's still playing at the highest level, so I'll never set limits for myself." Kane boasts an impressive record for England, with 121 appearances and 85 goals, making him the team's all-time leading scorer. He also won the Golden Boot at the 2018 World Cup and scored six goals in the current tournament. Despite his individual achievements, a major international trophy with England continues to elude him. His World Cup finishes include fourth place in 2018, quarterfinals in 2022, and semifinals in 2026. Combined with runner-up finishes in the 2021 and 2024 European Championships, the question of when Kane will finally lift a major trophy with England remains a prominent topic of discussion.
It's too early to talk about this now. You all know me, I always take it year by year, see how I feel. The England national team is my pride and joy, and playing football is what I love most. Obviously, four years is a long time, and I'll be 33, but as you see Messi, he's still playing at the highest level, so I'll never set limits for myself.
Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.