Harry Kane’s Dual Ambitions: From Champions League Glory to NFL Dreams
Feb 12, 2025, 10:19 PM ET
In the world of sports, few athletes manage to captivate audiences across different disciplines quite like Harry Kane. The England captain, known for his prowess on the soccer field, has once again sparked conversations about his future ambitions beyond the pitch. After scoring yet another crucial goal in the Champions League, Kane reiterated his long-standing desire to one day transition his kicking skills to the NFL.
On a chilly Wednesday evening, Kane delivered the winning goal for Bayern Munich in their 2-1 victory over Celtic during the first leg of their Champions League playoff. This performance not only solidified his status as a top-tier striker but also provided a platform for him to discuss his NFL aspirations.
In a post-match interview with CBS, Kane was asked about his passion for the NFL, particularly his admiration for the New England Patriots. He candidly shared that switching from soccer to American football “is something in the back of my mind.” He elaborated, “I’ve been asked about it before and my focus is on here, the Champions League, Bayern Munich, but it’s something I’d like to explore in a future date. But I still feel like I’ve got many more years ahead of me.”
At 31 years old, Kane has already achieved remarkable feats in soccer. He now boasts 36 goals in the Champions League, more than any other English player. His goal against Celtic also continued a personal streak of success against Kasper Schmeichel. Whether playing for his former club Tottenham, the England national team, or now Bayern Munich, Kane has consistently found the back of the net against the Danish goalkeeper. His back-post volley, executed with precision in the 49th minute, marked his 19th career goal past Schmeichel, more than any other goalkeeper he has faced.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers acknowledged Kane’s skill, stating, “One of the world’s best strikers shouldn’t be left free in the box.”
Despite his soccer commitments, Kane’s enthusiasm for the NFL remains undiminished. After the game at Celtic Park, he was just as eager to discuss American football as he was to talk about his latest soccer triumph. He mentioned watching the Super Bowl between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday. Although he claimed he “honestly didn’t care who won,” he admitted to feeling a sense of satisfaction seeing the Chiefs and Patrick Mahomes fall short in their quest for a third consecutive Super Bowl title. This sentiment stems from his admiration for Tom Brady, the legendary quarterback who defied the odds to become a seven-time Super Bowl champion.
Kane has often spoken about drawing inspiration from Brady’s journey, which saw him rise from a sixth-round draft pick to one of the greatest players in NFL history. Reflecting on the Eagles’ victory, Kane remarked, “All credit to the Eagles, stopping the Chiefs doing the three-peat. I’m backing my boy Brady, so it was nice to see it if I’m totally honest.”
As Kane continues to excel on the soccer field, fans and pundits alike are left to wonder when, or if, he will make the leap to the NFL. For now, his focus remains firmly on Bayern Munich and the Champions League, but the allure of American football lingers in the background, promising an intriguing chapter in the future of this remarkable athlete.
- Harry Kane’s Champions League goal tally: 36
- Goals scored against Kasper Schmeichel: 19
- Age: 31
Originally Written by: Associated Press
