The Passion of Professional Footballers: Harry Kane Chasing a Century of Goals for England
It’s easy to forget just how much professional footballers truly love the game. While they may grumble, get injured, and endure disappointments, their passion for football shines through brighter than ever. Take England’s Harry Kane, the Three Lions’ record-scoring forward, who earns a whopping £17 million a year at Bayern Munich. Yet, his lifelong ambition is to become the first player to score 100 goals for England – a feat that will put him in the company of the all-time greats.
Kane needs an additional 32 goals, which, at his current rate, will take around three to four years into his mid-30s. After his impressive haul of two goals against Finland on Tuesday, the benchmark remains distant but slightly more attainable. However, there are several factors weighing against him. He undoubtedly has a strong record for staying fit, but also faces the prospect of youthful rivals vying for his position.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Portugal’s top scorer with 132 goals in 214 games, is a testament to this. At 39 and six months, he can still jump Olympian heights, defying the expectation of age being a hinderance. Goalkeepers tend to be the ageing heroes of our game, but even they can defy statistics. West Ham’s keeper, Lukasz Fabianski, is the Premier League’s oldest player, still going strong at the age of 39 years and six months.
Just like Ronaldo, Kane’s dedication to the game is nothing short of remarkable. Not many players can claim they’ve played for their clubs and countries for over two decades, and still consistently deliver on the pitch.
The Stalwarts of English Football
These stalwarts remind us why we love the game of football. England’s winning World Cup team in 1966 featured three legends from West Ham United. Sir Geoff Hurst remains 72 years young today, while Bobby Moore – the captain of that team – sadly passed away in 1993. Martin Peters, another member of the triumphant squad, saw his career cut short prematurely.
The three players brought glory to West Ham by playing 411 games collectively, scoring 180 times for the Hammers and eventually retiring at 38. A statue of each player now stands proudly at the London Stadium, ensuring their legacy endures through generations.
The World of Football
For top professionals, football is but a brief, albeit brief and lucrative, career spanning a few decades. What’s certain is that most old pros find it additive, right up to the final whistle. Football forever changes the lives of both players and fans, drawing us in with its captivating history, thrilling moments, and eternal passion.
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