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Harry Kane will not be overly concerned with the World Cup 2026 heroics of Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe, according to Danny Mills, who told GOAL that England’s all-time leading scorer would “rather be Olivier Giroud”. The prolific Bayern Munich forward has already opened his account in North America, just as several other global stars have, but for him, team triumph will always outweigh individual awards.

Kane already boasts multiple Golden Boots to his credit

During his time at Tottenham Hotspur, Kane collected three Golden Boots in the Premier League, cementing his place as the club’s greatest ever striker. Since moving to Germany, he has added three more Golden Boots over as many seasons while also lifting two Bundesliga titles.

For England, Kane has rewritten record books with 81 goals in 115 appearances, including a brace against Croatia in his most recent outing. A successfully retaken penalty and a powerful header once again showcased his ability to inspire the Three Lions’ attack.

Before Thomas Tuchel’s men launched their World Cup campaign, Kane had been watching from afar as Messi, Mbappe, and Erling Haaland lit up the biggest stage, collectively scoring seven goals for Argentina, France, and Norway.

Will Kane watch Messi, Mbappe, and Haaland?

When asked if those performances would spur Kane on, former England defender Mills — speaking on behalf of betTOM — told GOAL: “Personally, I don’t think so. I don’t think he’s driven by that. He just wants to score goals, as many as he can, and most importantly, he wants England to win.”

Mills further explained: “You could ask Harry Kane if he’d prefer to win the Golden Boot but get knocked out in the quarter-final, or be Olivier Giroud — win the World Cup without scoring — and I think he’d choose the second option.”

“There are world-class strikers who might think differently. For some, personal milestones take priority. Ideally, they want both, but a few are more self-focused.”

“Harry Kane doesn’t fall into that category at all. He’s seen what the others have achieved, but he’s not fazed. He’s very secure in himself. His motivation comes from scoring goals and winning matches for England, not from what others are doing.”

England’s setup enables Kane to drop deeper

Tuchel is believed to have built his World Cup attack around Kane, selecting forwards who complement the 32-year-old’s tendency to drop deep. The approach worked seamlessly against Croatia, with Jude Bellingham, Bukayo Saka, and Marcus Rashford all ready to make runs beyond their captain.

Discussing Kane’s role, Mills said: “That’s always been part of his game. Kane was never known for his speed, so it’s not as though he’s lost pace. He’s always relied on intelligence and positioning.”

“He often operates as a number 9, a number 10, or somewhere in between — a 9.5, if you will — drifting into deeper areas. To make that system effective, you need pace on the wings to stretch defences. That’s why players like Bellingham, Saka, and [Noni] Madueke, as well as Rashford and [Anthony] Gordon, are crucial. They provide that width and speed, allowing Kane to drop into space. It’s straightforward football logic, though executing it consistently is never easy, especially with tough opposition.”

“The main concern is that Kane remains the focal point. If anything happens to him, the question becomes: where do we turn next?”

World Cup 2026: Can England roar again?

England have often been accused of depending too heavily on Kane, given his phenomenal scoring record and his ability to carry the attacking load almost single-handedly. However, against Croatia, Bellingham and Rashford both contributed on the scoresheet, easing some of that burden.

If the Three Lions are to finally end their 60-year wait for a major international trophy this summer, Kane will need to lead the charge once again. Another Golden Boot could be within reach, but regardless of what Messi, Mbappe, or others achieve, Kane’s focus will remain firmly on collective success and England’s quest for glory.

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