Harry Kane nears Shilton's caps and is a serious contender for England's greatest
October 5, 2026 21:31
England captain Harry Kane will equal Peter Shilton's record tally of 125 caps if he features in the upcoming UEFA Nations League meeting with the Czech Republic at Wembley. Kane is already his country's all-time leading scorer, with 89 goals in 124 full internationals.
CONTEXT
Kane opened his England account 79 seconds into his debut in a 4-0 win against Lithuania at Wembley in March 2015 and has since been a near-constant presence for the national team. The article notes he is 33 and describes him as "still irreplaceable at 33". Across six major tournaments he has scored 21 goals in 36 appearances, more than any other England player in those competitions and ahead of Gary Lineker's 10 goals in 18 appearances.
Kane sits 36 goals clear of England's second-highest scorer Wayne Rooney, who scored 53 goals in 120 games. Historical benchmarks for England greatness remain the 1966 winners: Bobby Moore, the only England captain to lift the World Cup, and Sir Bobby Charlton, who scored 49 goals in 106 games. Sir Geoff Hurst's hat-trick in the 1966 final also secures him a special place in England lore.
WHAT OTHERS SAY
Former midfielder Danny Murphy praised Kane's numbers and longevity, saying: "No-one can argue with Harry Kane's quality, numbers and longevity. It is the record of an England great." He added, "There is one thing there is no debate about. Harry Kane is England's greatest goal scorer."
Ex-international Paul Robinson told BBC Sport: "Harry Kane is an England great. There is no argument. ... We are guilty in the modern era of underestimating what we've got in front of us."
WHY IT MATTERS
With the chance to match Shilton's appearance record and already holding the goalscoring mark, Kane has strengthened his case as a leading figure in England's football history. How he ranks among past greats will continue to be shaped by era and opinion, say former players.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
If Kane plays against the Czech Republic at Wembley he will reach 125 England caps, matching Peter Shilton's long-standing appearance record.