Harry Kane has described playing golf with United States President Donald Trump as “a pretty surreal experience”, confirming the round took place in Palm Beach, Florida, around 18 months ago, as the England captain also revealed that David Beckham visited the squad ahead of Saturday’s World Cup quarter-final against Norway in Miami.
Trump had revealed the golf round earlier in the week, telling reporters: “I think Kane is a great player. I played golf with him and I like him a lot. He’s a good golfer too. He’s really great.” He had also posted on his TruthSocial platform immediately after England’s 3-2 round of 16 win over Mexico, writing: “Harry Kane of England is a GREAT player!!!”
Kane, speaking at his pre-match press conference in Miami on Friday, confirmed the details and was full of praise for the 80-year-old president’s game. “When the President invites you somewhere, it was a pretty surreal experience just to meet him and play golf with him. His golf is pretty good, to be honest. I hope I can play golf as well as him when I’m his age, that’s for sure. A unique experience, but I was just grateful that he invited me to play,” the 32-year-old said.
The England captain then turned his attention to a rather different visitor, revealing that Beckham had spoken to the squad on Friday afternoon at the Inter Miami training facility in Fort Lauderdale, which England used ahead of Saturday’s tie. Beckham, 51, attended the session alongside his sons Romeo and Cruz and addressed the players in the gym before they took to the field, having also been present at several of England’s matches throughout the tournament.
“He just wished us luck. After most games he messages me and we stay in touch,” Kane said of the former England captain, who won 115 caps for his country. “He’s a big England fan. We all know how much it meant for him to represent England and be captain and play the way he did every time he wore the shirt, so he was there to support us. We were using his home, the home that he built, so we appreciate him doing that for us. It was good to catch up with him, and for some of the other lads to have a chat with him. He’s an England legend. Hopefully we can do him proud tomorrow.”
England are chasing a place in the World Cup semi-finals for only the third time in 60 years, with Kane carrying six goals into the quarter-final against a Norway side inspired by Erling Haaland, who has scored seven times in four appearances. The Bayern Munich striker’s tournament has been defined by his goals and his leadership, and a visit from one of England’s most celebrated former captains at Inter Miami’s facility provided a timely boost ahead of one of the most eagerly anticipated matches of the quarter-final round.
