Harry Kane England Best-Ever Player Hails Jude Bellingham 2026

Jude Bellingham has hailed Harry Kane as England's best-ever player after the captain equalled Peter Shilton's record of 125 caps during Tuesday's 3-0 win over Czechia in the Nations League. Kane, who is now just nine goals away from a century of international strikes after scoring twice, was the star attraction as the Wembley crowd watched Thomas Tuchel's side close in on a spot in March's quarter-finals.

Kane Equals Shilton's 125-Cap Record

England's record goalscorer showed exactly why he is in the running for the Ballon d'Or, and the way the Bayern Munich striker passed another milestone earned him rave reviews from Bellingham. The 33-year-old made the opening goal when he crossed for Czechia's Vladimir Coufal to put into his own net, before adding two more to his tally.

"There's not much more you can say that hasn't already been said," Bellingham said. "From my perspective first and foremost he is an unbelievable human being, as a captain and a man. He is the best England player to ever wear the shirt and it is an honour to play with him. He is pretty unmatched. He is scoring goals for fun, he goes deep and he gets tackles in. He is only getting better."

Bellingham's High Praise for Kane

Bellingham's comments carry significant weight given his own standing in the game. The midfielder, who has already established himself as one of England's most influential players, did not hold back in his assessment of Kane's contribution to the national team.

"He is the best England player to ever wear the shirt," Bellingham added. "It is an honour to play with him." Such praise from a teammate of Bellingham's calibre underscores the respect Kane commands within the squad and beyond.

Kane Reflects on Milestone Achievement

Kane, who made his 125th appearance for his country, said the milestone goes down as one of the biggest achievements of his career. "I think it's right up there," the 33-year-old said. "There are so many milestones throughout your career. This is even beyond my wildest dreams. To be joint at 125 is an extreme privilege. I love coming away with England, I love playing for England."

The striker's two goals against Czechia took his international tally to 91, leaving him nine short of becoming the first England men's player to reach a century of goals. With his current form, that landmark appears increasingly inevitable.

Comparing Kane's Records

What This Means for England

Kane's achievements come at a time when England are building momentum under Thomas Tuchel. The 3-0 win over Czechia puts them in a strong position to qualify for March's quarter-finals, and Kane's leadership on and off the pitch remains central to their ambitions.

• Kane equalled Peter Shilton's 125-cap record for England.
• He scored twice against Czechia, taking his tally to 91 international goals.
• Jude Bellingham called Kane England's best-ever player.
• England are closing in on a Nations League quarter-final spot.
• Kane is nine goals away from a century for his country.

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