England star not considering international retirement, set to use Lionel Messi as inspiration and look to bounce back from Euro 2024 loss - Reports
Harry Kane is reportedly looking to Lionel Messi for inspiration as he aims to continue with England despite their Euro 2024 heartbreak. The Bayern Munich superstar could not captain his nation to glory in Germany this summer.
The Telegraph reports Kane isn't considering international retirement despite suffering another European Championship final defeat. The Three Lions suffered a 2-1 loss to Spain in the final at the Olympiastadon in Berlin last Sunday (July 14).
Instead, Kane, 30, hopes to follow in Messi's footsteps and bounce back from England's defeat. The Argentina captain was part of a La Abiceleste side that lost the 2014 FIFA World Cup final and in back-to-back Copa America finals (2015-16).
Lionel Messi, 36, announced his retirement from international football in 2016 after a third successive defeat in a major competition. That decision lasted just two months, and he went on a mission to help his nation make history.
Argentina has done just that, winning Copa America in 2021, the World Cup in 2022, and this summer's Copa America. Messi has been crucial in all three of those tournaments, and Kane will want to have an impact on England similarly.
Kane debuted for the Three Lions in March 2015, aged 21, under Roy Hodgson. He's since become his nation's all-time top scorer with 66 goals and 19 assists in 98 caps.
Lionel Messi reportedly told PSG to sign England's Harry Kane
Lionel Messi appears to admire England star Kane as he pushed for former club PSG to sign him in the summer of 2023. RMC Sport reported that the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner advised the Parisians to target the then-Tottenham Hotspur frontman in an end-of-season review.
The Argentine icon felt Kane was the type of profile the Ligue 1 giants were missing amid their desire to win their first-ever UEFA Champions League. They have had several world-class talents, such as Messi, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappe, but they have failed to shine on the European stage.
Kane didn't join PSG but left Spurs for Bayern last summer for a reported £82 million, including an add-ons deal. He's been excellent for the Bavarians, posting 44 goals and 12 assists in 45 games across competitions.
Messi left the Parc des Princes that summer and joined MLS side Inter Miami on a free transfer. He left behind a PSG side still full of talented star men but a wantaway Mbappe who has sealed a dream move to Real Madrid this summer.