Harry Kane, the captain of England, claims that “competition” from Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland, his anticipated rivals for the Golden Boot, motivated him this World Cup.
Kane is attempting to become the first man in history to be the top scorer at a World Cup twice after winning the award in the 2018 edition.
His main rivals in North America this summer are predicted to be Mbappe, who scored twice as France defeated Senegal 3-1 in their opening match, and Haaland, who also scored twice as Norway crushed Iraq 4-1.
Kane levelled the duo’s start to this summer’s tournament with a brace as England defeated Croatia 4-2 in their opening match on Wednesday. According to The Independent, he claimed that the two forwards pushed him to reach “the highest level.”
Kane Speaks On Getting Pushed
“Those guys started in a great way. As a striker myself, I just want to get on the scoresheet as quickly as possible.
“In the back of my mind that competition helps me to push my levels. That is what the World Cup is for, to push myself at the highest level, so it is nice to get a couple.”
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Kane tied Gary Lineker’s record of 10 World Cup goals for England with his first-half brace in Dallas, and there will undoubtedly be many more.
Kane Claims To Be At ‘Peak Of His Powers’
Following a record-breaking season for Bayern Munich in which he scored 61 goals in 51 games, the 32-year-old claims to be at the “peak of his powers” and is off to a quick start at the World Cup.
“It’s a great milestone to reach, to get 10 goals at a World Cup,” he added. “Gary had some amazing tournaments and to be on that number now is really enjoyable.
“To reach double figures at this amazing tournament is very special. Physically, I am feeling good. The goals I have scored this year are the most I have ever had in my career, I feel I am at the peak of my powers at the right time.
“There is a long way to go, a lot of tough games ahead, but for me personally I enjoy being out there on the pitch when I am feeling in this form.”
