On the eve of one of the most anticipated competitions in world football, Wayne Rooney made it clear that Harry Kane should not ease his impressive pace at Bayern Munich, even with the World Cup on the horizon. The former England captain expressed his hope that Kane will be in top condition during the tournament but doubts that the current Bundesliga top scorer will choose to hold back in the coming months.
Kane, who made history three years ago by surpassing Rooney to become England’s all-time leading goalscorer, is having an extraordinary season. With 48 goals in 40 matches for Bayern, he is in peak form and playing a decisive role in the Bavarian club’s ambition to win titles at both national and European levels. Rooney, who is well aware of the pressure faced by top players, stated that Kane’s priority should undoubtedly be Bayern, who currently lead the Bundesliga by nine points and are in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
“I think a crucial aspect for England is having Harry Kane fit. If he is, it will be a significant reason for us to win,” Rooney commented to the Press Association. However, he warned of the danger of a player who is not fully focused. “If you go into a game thinking about something else, you risk getting injured. Any player will tell you that while playing for their club, that’s all that matters until the season ends, and then the national team comes into play,” he added.
Rooney does not believe that Kane will slow down his pace. “I hope Bayern can secure the title quickly and that coach Vincent Kompany can help him a bit!” Despite being a notable absence in the 1-1 draw with Uruguay, Kane is expected to return for the friendly against Japan next Tuesday.
Kane’s fantastic form this season not only puts him in the spotlight in domestic competitions but also makes him a serious contender for the prestigious Ballon d’Or. Rooney emphasized that the forward has a chance to become the first Englishman to win the award since Michael Owen, 25 years ago. “He is consistent in everything he has done in his career: he has scored goals and created plays both at club and international level. It is very strange that he has never been mentioned for the top honors,” Rooney stated.
In addition to his analysis of Kane, Rooney is also preparing for the Soccer Aid event, an annual charity match that raises funds for UNICEF. This year, the event will take place on May 31, and Rooney is excited about the opportunity to play in a stadium where he has never performed before, the London Stadium. “I’m looking forward to it,” he concluded.
As the World Cup approaches, expectations surrounding Harry Kane and his ability to continue shining are high. All eyes will be on him, both on the Bundesliga pitches and on the international stage.
This article first appeared on Apito Final.
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