England manager Thomas Tuchel has issued a stern warning to Harry Kane, noting that the Bayern Munich forward will struggle to emulate the longevity of 40-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo.
Three Lions captain Kane, who will turn 32 in July, has stated that he wants to prolong his playing career for as long as possible. The former Tottenham Hotspur striker’s statement has been considered to be a nod towards treading the same path as five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo.
Ronaldo is currently 40-years-old but still plays at the highest level for club and country. The Portuguese is set to extend his contract at Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr, having just helped Portugal to Nations League glory.
Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring Portugal’s second goal with teammate Nuno Mendes during the UEFA Nations League 2025 semifinal match between Germany and Portugal. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
Though Kane is still banging in goals, Tuchel says the Bayern Munich striker – along with many other players – will find it tough to maintain the form and fitness required to follow in Ronaldo’s record-shattering footsteps.
Tuchel told reporters: “I think it gets more and more difficult in today’s game, Cristiano took a step into a league which is not as competitive as the Premier League or Spain – where he played before – as part of keeping his performance up. I think he is always the exception to the rule, we cannot go now from Cristiano Ronaldo and think everyone can play until 39 and 40 in today’s game.
“It will be very demanding, professionalism is a given in today’s game, otherwise you have no chance and Harry has this natural ability to score goals.
“He scored his 450th goal in the Andorra match, it was a very decisive goal, a very important one and there are at the moment no signs he cannot do it at a high level. How long he can do it, I have not a crystal ball, let’s see. He is in a club where they play dominant football, I think that can suit him.
“Just the outlook until the World Cup, he knows that it is a crucial year for him, also in terms of fitness and being ready to compete in the World Cup in the heat, in the humidity.”
