Wayne Rooney sends classy message to Harry Kane as England goalscorer record broken | Football | Sport
Wayne Rooney sent a message to Harry Kane after the Tottenham star became England’s all-time top scorer on Thursday night. The striker slotted home a penalty against Italy in the Euro 2024 qualifiers to take his international tally to 54.
The Spurs No 9 smashed home his penalty at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in Naples in the 44th minute after VAR ruled that Giovanni Di Lorenzo handled the ball inside the box. Kane was full of emotion as the ball nestled into the corner, knowing that he is now the Three Lions’ all-time leading scorer and has written his name into the history books.
Former Manchester United star Rooney was previously England’s top scorer (53), though he was gracious in losing the record. The DC United coach tweeted: “Congratulations to @HKane on becoming @England’s all-time leading goalscorer. I knew it wouldn’t take long but that was quick. Great man, unbelievable goalscorer and an England legend. Congrats Harry.”
Kane had the opportunity to claim the record in England’s 2-1 defeat at the hands of France in the quarter-finals of the Qatar World Cup, though that miss has now been forgotten.
Ex-Liverpool star Steven Gerrard was also full of praise for Kane, telling Channel 4: “It’s an incredible penalty, it’s precise, takes the side-netting off. He’s one of the best penalty-takers in the world. That’s why it was such a surprise what happened to him in the World Cup.
“You’re talking about greatness, you’re talking about one of the best number nines in the world right now and that’s the reason why every transfer window he’s ahead in terms of all the talks because, you know, maybe it is time, maybe it is time for him to move on.”
Kane has been heavily linked with a move away from Tottenham over the summer, with the expected sacking of Antonio Conte potentially having a role to play in where his future lies. Erik ten Hag has identified the 29-year-old as a top target to lead the line at Old Trafford, with United desperate to acquire a striker following the premature departure of Cristiano Ronaldo earlier this season, and it has been speculated that the Red Devils are likely to table an offer when the summer transfer window opens.
It is unclear as to whether Kane is keen to leave, but with Spurs failing to progress under the management of ‘serial winner’ Conte, many feel that the club is unlikely to win a trophy in the short-term and therefore he may conclude that this summer is his best chance to pursue silverware elsewhere.
