Ex-England star names Harry Kane country's best-ever striker following World Cup heroics

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Harry Kane scored a brace in England's FIFA World Cup opening win against Croatia -Credit:Chris Brunskill/Fantasista, Getty Images


Former England forward Emile Heskey believes Harry Kane has accomplished enough to cement his status as the Three Lions' greatest-ever striker.

Kane wasted no time writing his name in the record books at this year's FIFA World Cup, matching Gary Lineker's total of 10 goals in the quadrennial competition during England's 4-2 opening victory over Croatia. The 32-year-old converted a retaken spot kick in the 12th minute before adding another with a perfectly executed header from a set piece 40 minutes later.

When he takes the field for Tuesday's game against Ghana, Kane will earn his 116th senior cap, surpassing David Beckham for third place on the country's all-time men's appearance list. As he continues displaying no indication of decline, Heskey confidently stated that the Bayern Munich talisman has surpassed fellow iconic England strikers Lineker, Alan Shearer, Michael Owen, and Wayne Rooney.

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When questioned whether Kane's display against Croatia solidified his position as the finest striker to ever represent England, Heskey told Mirror U.S. Sports: "Yeah, I think so.

"When you look at what he's done, and you look at all the other strikers that came before him that you'd throw into the hat, I think he's done more than them."

Since the 1986 World Cup in Mexico, at least one of Lineker, Shearer, Owen, Rooney, and Kane has spearheaded England's offensive line at every major tournament the Three Lions have reached.

This group of strikers enjoyed considerable success throughout their careers, combining for 249 international goals, 11 top-flight Golden Boots, two World Cup Golden Boots, 11 Player of the Season honors, and three all-time club scoring records, according to ESPN.

However, in Heskey's view, none were quite the complete package Kane has proven to be. "Gary Lineker has come out and said himself that he was more of a penalty-box striker, someone who knew how to put the ball away," the 48-year-old added.

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"But when you look at Harry Kane dropping deep, defending, spraying a ball out wide and then getting in the box, going and winning that header for the second goal - yeah, you've got to put him up there as the best."

Heskey also emphasized that Kane is hardly the sole England forward that rival defenses must account for at the 2026 World Cup.

With Anthony Gordon and Noni Madueke lining up alongside Kane - plus Marcus Rashford and Bukayo Saka available as substitutes - Heskey contended that the Three Lions boast one of the tournament's finest attacking rosters.

"When you look at France as well, that's a strong one too, even though Dembele hasn't had a great start. But yeah, I think we're up there, definitely," he said. "And the funny thing is, when you look at our forward line - we start with Gordon, Kane and Madueke. Which other nation can bring on Rashford and Saka off the bench?

"I don't think there are many that can do that. So in depth, we've got a really strong squad and team."

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