England captain Harry Kane has admitted he does not know if he has played in his final World Cup after the Three Lions’ heartbreaking semi-final defeat to Argentina.
Kane, who will turn 33 later this month, had hoped to lead England into a first World Cup final since 1966 on Sunday.
England had been on course after Anthony Gordon put them 1-0 up in the second half, only for Thomas Tuchel’s side to drop deep in an attempt to preserve their narrow advantage.
A superb Enzo Fernandez drive from the edge of the box and a stoppage time Lautaro Martinez header ultimately saw Argentina fight back to win 2-1 and continue their pursuit of a second successive World Cup.
Kane declared it was too early to say whether this would be his final World Cup when asked about his future by Sky Germany.
England’s all-time record goalscorer suggested, however, that Argentina captain Lionel Messi playing at 39 was evidence he could feature at the World Cup in four years time.
England captain Harry Kane admitted he does not know whether he has played in his final World Cup
The Three Lions’ skipper was devastated at full-time after England’s semi-final exit
‘It’s still too early to say,’ Kane said.
‘I take it year by year and see how I feel, I love playing for England.
‘But of course, four years is a long time.
‘Then again, you can see someone like Messi still performing at the highest level even at an older age. I honestly don’t know.’
Kane has scored six goals at the tournament and has netted an England record 14 in World Cups.
The England captain surpassed Wayne Rooney as the Three Lions’ second most capped men’s player by making his 121st appearance, in which he has scored 85 goals.
Kane is just four caps behind the all-time record held by Peter Shilton.
‘I’m just gutted,’ Kane said post-match. ‘Gutted for the boys, gutted for everyone. The England staff, the fans.
Kane, however, suggested Messi playing for Argentina at 39 gave him hope of carrying on
‘We played a good game for the large majority of it. When we went 1-0 up, we seemed to just try and hold on which at this level isn’t enough.
‘Just gutted because we have worked so hard to be here. The lads have given every last bit of running, sweat, blood, tears. To fall short like we did today is just gutting.
‘We struggled to get pressure on the ball.
‘First half and start of the second half we pressed them well. We put them under loads of pressure, especially high up the pitch which allowed us to win balls, control the game a little bit better.
‘After the goal, whether that was them putting more players forward or us not being able to match them man for man. It was just wave after wave and we were trying to hold on. Lads were putting blocks in but in the end it wasn’t enough.
‘The boys are always ready for any moment in the game. When we went ahead, the messaging was to go again and get another goal.
‘Then obviously when they scored their two goals, trying to get something but we couldn’t quite get the momentum back in the game.’
