Football legend Gary Lineker has delivered his definitive verdict on the long-running comparison between himself and current England captain Harry Kane, admitting the Bayern Munich star is the superior player. However, the former Match of the Day host added a significant caveat, claiming the modern game is "so much easier" for forwards than during his own prolific era.
Lineker's Generous Admission
In a candid interview with the Evening Standard, Lineker, who scored 48 goals for England, did not hesitate when asked to compare his talents with those of Kane. "No, Harry Kane’s a better footballer than me," stated the 65-year-old. He elaborated on the differences in their styles, highlighting Kane's evolution from a traditional number nine into a complete forward.
"I was a pure penalty area goalscorer. I mean, I could do the essentials but Harry could play as a 10," Lineker explained. "He's hitting 50-yard balls and great passes. I was quicker than Harry but there’s no question he’s a better player." Kane, England's all-time record goalscorer with 78 international strikes, has indeed redefined the role of a centre-forward by dropping deep into a playmaking position.
The Changing Game: Pitches and Pressure
Despite his praise, Lineker believes the context of the modern game heavily favours today's attackers. He pointed to immaculate playing surfaces as a key factor. "Oh God yes, football is so much easier now. The surfaces are like billiard tables," he claimed. The former Barcelona and Tottenham striker also suggested the overall calibre of defending has declined since his playing days in the 1980s and 1990s.
This shift, he argues, is reflected in the soaring goal tallies expected of elite strikers. "If you scored around one goal every two games in my era, you were one of the top strikers in football," Lineker noted. "Now it's pretty much a goal per game. That shows you how much the game has changed in favour of strikers." Lineker broke the 30-goal seasonal barrier twice in his club career, whereas Kane has achieved that feat seven times.
Parallel Careers and Lasting Legacy
The two sharpshooters share notable career parallels. Both were the leading lights for the England national team in their respective generations and both sought success abroad. Lineker enjoyed a spell with Barcelona, while Kane is currently starring for Bayern Munich, where he finally secured major silverware.
Kane also followed in Lineker's footsteps on the world stage. In 2018, he became the first Englishman since Lineker in 1986 to win the World Cup Golden Boot. Furthermore, Kane emulated his predecessor by scoring a World Cup hat-trick, netting three times against Panama in Russia.
While gracefully conceding Kane's individual brilliance, Lineker's comments spark a fascinating debate about era comparison, the evolution of tactics, and how external factors like pitch quality influence the beautiful game. His verdict is both a generous tribute to a contemporary great and a pointed observation on how football has transformed.
