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Harry Kane’s influence for England has begun to mirror that of Lionel Messi for Argentina – a comparison that former striker Stan Collymore believes is not only fair but also a positive sign for the Three Lions. Speaking to GOAL, Collymore outlined how England’s all-time top scorer has developed a mindset that many before him failed to master, becoming the driving force behind the nation’s latest World Cup challenge.

Kane’s value to the team has been evident for years, much like Messi’s indispensable role for his country. Heading into the tournament, questions were raised about Bayern Munich’s fortunes should Kane suffer an untimely injury. Thankfully for both club and country, that scenario hasn’t yet had to be faced.

Fresh from a stellar domestic season that saw him find the net 61 times and claim his second Bundesliga title, Kane has carried that form into FIFA’s grandest stage in North America, already scoring five goals at the World Cup.

He began the tournament with two goals against Croatia, followed by another dramatic brace as England edged past DR Congo in the round of 32. He also struck in the victory over Panama, taking his international goal tally to 84 – a number that continues to grow.

It’s difficult to imagine where England would stand without their prolific No.9. Kane’s presence in the squad is as vital as Messi’s for Argentina, with both nations heavily reliant on their respective talismans to maintain elite performance levels.

When asked whether Kane has reached Messi’s level and how he achieved it, Collymore, speaking on behalf of BetTOM, responded: “You could argue yes, but it’s also true that Harry Kane plays nearly every game for England, so we don’t really know what the team would look like without him.”

He continued, “I’m not saying for a second that someone like Ollie Watkins, Morgan Rogers, or even Jude Bellingham playing up front could replicate that level of consistency. The truth is we’ll only truly understand his impact when Kane eventually retires from international football. If you look at the youth teams – the under-21s, under-20s, or under-19s – there aren’t many natural centre-forwards coming through. That’s a future concern England will have to address.”

Collymore added, “If you’re scoring over 60 goals in German football, you’re going to arrive at a major tournament full of confidence – something Kane didn’t quite have at the Euros, where he was slightly hampered by minor injuries.”

“Thomas Tuchel recently said, ‘Argentina rely on Messi, France rely on Kylian Mbappe, so why shouldn’t we rely on Harry Kane?’ There’s nothing wrong with that – it’s not a weakness.”

“Over the years, Kane has shown up for England consistently. He’s always made himself available, even when many players choose to skip friendlies and prioritise club football. His commitment to the national side has been unwavering, and that’s been a huge factor in his success.”

“The key for Kane is that he’s earned the rewards of his consistency – whether it’s the Nations League, friendlies, qualifiers, or major tournaments, he’s always there. That dedication makes him invaluable to England.”

“At times, when others might have stepped away from squads, Kane remained steadfast. Gareth Southgate helped create a strong team environment, and even now under Thomas Tuchel, Kane’s professionalism ensures continuity. His consistency in showing up and performing has been crucial both as captain and as a goalscorer.”

As England prepare for their next challenge – a last-16 clash against Mexico – Kane continues to lead by example, much like Messi does for Argentina. The Bayern Munich striker will be hoping his leadership can finally end six decades of World Cup heartbreak for the Three Lions.

Sunday’s encounter at the iconic Azteca Stadium, played at high altitude, will offer another chance for England’s record-breaking captain to inspire his team toward glory.