Harry Kane breaks England appearance record and will have Ballon d’Or win celebrated
Harry Kane will break Peter Shilton’s appearance record for the England men’s team after being named in the starting line-up to face Croatia in the Nations League at Wembley this evening.
Thomas Tuchel had already confirmed at his pre-match press conference on Wednesday that his captain Kane would start the match and that was rubber-stamped when the teams were released an hour and 15 minutes before kick-off.
It will be the 33-year-old’s first game for his country since winning the Ballon d’Or last month and will be his record 126th England cap, meaning he surpasses Shilton atop the list.
The legendary goalkeeper will present Kane – who has also scored a record 91 goals for the Three Lions – with his cap at Wembley, while there will also be a pre-match celebration for his Ballon d’Or triumph, with the trophy being paraded around the pitch in front of the home support.
It promises to be an emotional and celebratory atmosphere for the man who many consider to be England’s greatest player of all-time, although Tuchel sidestepped any controversy by hedging slightly when asked if Kane was indeed the greatest Three Lion.
“I don’t know, but he is up there of course,” smiled the German at his pre-match press conference. “It’s now proven and it's always nice if things are proven.
“He has his collection of prizes, his records, he will build on these records, score more goals and get more games. Tomorrow he will start as captain of course.
“It's a big occasion to present the Ballon d’Or to our fans and bring it to the country, and have it on the same day when he gets his all-time record for 126 matches. It’s a beautiful, beautiful occasion.
“On top of that it's a match that matters, it is not a friendly, it is a Nations League match. It is something Harry has to digest it as quickly as possible. There will be a lot of praise, a lot of emotions before kick-off and we need him in the best shape to win the match for us.”
England thrashed Croatia 7-0 in the reverse fixture in the previous international break and need just a point to book their spot in the Nations League quarter-finals in March.
They play their final group game against world champions Spain in Madrid on Sunday evening and should they win both matches, they may well top the group ahead of the Spaniards.
