Harry Kane praised Lionel Messi after England’s painful World Cup semifinal defeat to Argentina and said the Argentina captain proved once again why he is one of the greatest players in football history.
England looked set for the final after Anthony Gordon gave them the lead. But Argentina struck twice in the closing minutes through Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez. Messi set up both goals to send the defending champions into another World Cup final.
Kane admitted England had spent the entire week trying to stop Messi.
“All our focus this past week was on stopping Lionel Messi. Every meeting, every session, everything revolved around limiting his impact. And somehow, we did it. We held him back from scoring,” Kane said.
But the England captain admitted that keeping Messi off the scoresheet was not enough.
“That’s the thing with him. Even at 39, he’s simply incredible. You think you’ve done enough and then he produces two assists, two decisive moments that completely change the match.”
Kane said England found it difficult to accept the way the game slipped away in the closing minutes.
“Going from winning the match to losing it in the last seven minutes is devastating. We were in control, we were so close, and then everything turns around like that.”
He added that the difference came down to Messi’s ability to produce in the biggest moments.
“Sometimes you face a player who can change everything in an instant and tonight, that was the difference.”
Despite the disappointment, Kane is already looking ahead and refused to rule out playing at the 2030 FIFA World Cup.
The Bayern Munich striker was asked if the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico would be his last. Kane, who will be 37 by the next World Cup, said Messi’s longevity continues to inspire him.
“Four years is still a long way off. I’ll be 33 this summer, but when you see Messi still performing at the highest level, I don’t want to set any limits for myself.”
Kane said he will continue to work hard as long as he feels capable of competing at the highest level.
England’s hopes of lifting the World Cup may have ended in Atlanta, but the captain made it clear that he is not ready to close the chapter on his international career.
Argentina will now face Spain in the World Cup final, while England will take on France in the third place playoff.
