UMVA has learned that Harry Kane's journey to becoming a superstar was far from certain, even to those closest to him.
Kane's rise to fame began to take shape in the 2014/15 season when he scored 31 goals, and since then, he has become nearly unstoppable, now playing for Bayern Munich with an impressive 146 goals in 147 games.
As he prepares to captain England in their World Cup opener against Croatia, Kane's statistics are staggering: 79 goals in 114 caps, a testament to his hard work and dedication.
But Kane's potential wasn't always apparent, even to his teammates. Kyle Walker, who signed for Spurs in 2009, recalls doing training sessions with Kane's age group, which included promising young players like Andros Townsend and Steven Caulker.
Walker remembers Kane as a teenager who was "a little bit overweight" and didn't stand out, but what Kane lacked in natural ability, he made up for with relentless hard work and a willingness to learn.
Kane's journey was marked by several loan spells, including stints at Leyton Orient, Millwall, Norwich, and Leicester, where he often struggled to make an impact.
However, Walker credits Kane's obsessive training habits, particularly his focus on finishing, for taking him to the top. "He's always been obsessive in training, staying behind to practice his shooting and work on his finishing," Walker said.
Kane's dedication paid off, and he has since become one of the best strikers in the world, arriving at this World Cup on the back of an incredible season with Bayern Munich, where he scored 61 goals in 51 games.
Despite the pressure on him to produce, Kane says he is feeling confident and prepared, both physically and mentally. "I'm coming into this tournament in the best way possible; the best place physically and mentally," he said.
With his sights set on helping England succeed, Kane is comfortable with the responsibility of being a goal-scorer and is eager to make an impact on the world stage.
