Harry Kane dreams of exorcising England’s Euro 2020 woes at Wembley by leading them to Euro 2028 glory on home soil.
Great Britain and Ireland’s bid to host the penultimate European Championship was formally approved on Tuesday, meaning England will have another shot at glory in front of their own fans, seven years after winning on penalties at Wembley.
Kane will be 34 at the time and in the twilight of his career, but plans to still be around, looking to make amends for his desperation against Italy two years ago.
Asked if England had unfinished business at home, he said: “I think so, we were so close to doing something really magical at the last Euros.
“That’s football, it didn’t end the way we wanted, but we’re definitely going to have a bit of a bite to it.
“Not only in Germany next summer, but when you’re at home, playing games at Wembley will bring back memories of Euro 2021.
“We will have to wait and see. To win the tournament would be special, but to win it in your home country would be a dream come true.
“I intend to still be around until then, but of course it’s still a few years away, but I’m a player who feels as good as ever at the moment and yes, I’d like my career to go into my early thirties – at least .
“As we know, a lot of things can change quickly in football, but at the moment I feel really good. If you ask me now, of course I hope I’m there and that means I’m still performing at a high level, but you never know. We’ll see.
“The perception in sport or football in general is that you turn 30 and people start thinking about the end. But the way I look at it, I’m almost in the second half of my career.
“I played in the first team at Spurs from the age of 20 or 21 so I had nine or 10 years at the top level and hopefully another eight or nine years at the top again.
“Everything depends. You see some players who want to have another change or challenge, so I would never be able to tell you what I will do, but at the moment I want to keep playing.
“If you look at (Cristiano) Ronaldo and (Lionel) Messi, I believe and it shows that it is possible to play until the age of thirty and that is what I plan to do.”
England played six of their seven Euro 2020 matches at Wembley, although Covid restrictions meant that not every match was in front of a full stadium.
But Gareth Southgate’s men still felt the support of the country and Kane believes – like the Lionesses in 2022 – they will be pushed even further.
“We had an amazing experience at (Euro) 2020 in terms of six games at Wembley, so it was like a home tournament for us,” he said. “Even though not all the fans were in the stadium, we still got amazing support.
“It was a really special feeling to be here and to see the atmosphere outside the grounds as the coach traveled and of course we came within a few kicks of winning the trophy. So it definitely gave us more energy and more faith.
“It will be the same in 2028. Having full stadiums and all our fans, the country excited about it will definitely help. I think you saw it with the Lions as well.
“I was there for the final and I saw how much it meant to the fans. The atmosphere not only in the stadium, but also outside, and the Lionesses were able to win.
“That would be our main goal. Winning any tournament with your country is tough, but to do it on your home patch would be just another notch.”
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