Harry Kane set to become England’s most-capped player against Croatia

Harry Kane will become England’s most-capped player when he leads the side out against Croatia in Thursday’s Nations League match at Wembley.

The England captain is due to win his 126th cap, taking him beyond the record set by former goalkeeper Peter Shilton, who had held the landmark since 1990.

It will provide another defining moment in a remarkable year for Kane, who in October became the first English player in 25 years to win the Ballon d’Or. His pride was clear during an emotional acceptance speech at the ceremony in London.

The 33-year-old’s record appearance tally will add to a list of achievements that includes 91 goals for England, making him the country’s leading scorer, and 280 goals for Tottenham, the club’s all-time record.

Kane has continued to excel since leaving his boyhood club for Bayern Munich in 2023. He has scored 156 goals for the German club and won the first silverware of his career with Bundesliga titles in 2025 and 2026.

His influence has also extended beyond his goals. Kane reportedly made clear his frustration with England manager Thomas Tuchel’s defensive approach during the World Cup semi-final defeat by Argentina in July.

England had attempted to protect a 1-0 lead by committing more players to defence, but Argentina scored twice late on to deny Kane the chance to play in his first World Cup final.

Before the international break in September, Kane is said to have helped lead a frank discussion between the squad and Tuchel about the manager’s tactics during clear-the-air talks.

‘A true great captain’

Bayer Leverkusen defender Jarell Quansah, who plays alongside Kane for England and against him in the Bundesliga, said the striker was widely admired in Germany.

Kane is the first Bundesliga player to win the Ballon d’Or since Matthias Sammer in 1996.

“The whole Bundesliga, to be honest, are super happy because they've not had a winner for so long. They've obviously taken to him so well, and everyone knows his quality,” Quansah told the BBC this week.

“He's a scary player to play against. No one wants to play against him. He's almost certain to get a goal every week, and everyone knows his quality.

“I think he's had a few nice receptions from different crowds as well, which is always nice.”

Kane made an immediate impact for England, scoring within 79 seconds of coming on as a substitute for his debut against Lithuania in 2015.

He remains determined to become the first male England captain since Bobby Moore to lift a major international trophy. Kane has already endured defeats in the European Championship finals of 2021 and 2024.

Quansah said Kane’s professionalism and leadership had made him an England great.

“He's an ultimate professional and he's done everything. It's the standards he sets off the pitch,” he said.

“He will always be the first outside for meetings. He's always waiting for the squad to get together. He'll never let the squad do anything by themselves.

“Him as a whole, he's just a true great captain.”