World Cup 2018: Gary Lineker would be ‘thrilled’ to see Harry Kane break his 32-year-old Golden Boot record
GARY LINEKER will be “thrilled” if Harry Kane breaks his 32-year World Cup scoring record.
England captain Kane leads the Golden Boot charts with six goals from the finals in Russia.
Only Belgium’s Romelu Lukaku (four goals) and French duo Antoine Griezmann (3) and Kylian Mbappe (3) can stop the Three Lions striker from ending the tournament as its leading scorer.
Lineker was the first Englishman to win the Golden Boot when he scored six goals in five games at the 1986 World Cup finals in Mexico.
But if Kane scores in the third-place play-off against Belgium in St Petersburg today, he will become England’s leading marksman at a World Cup.
Lineker, 57, said: “No one has really got close to the record until Harry Kane at this World Cup.
FROM RUSSIA WITH LIVE All the latest action, news, goals and gossip from the World Cup
“Obviously, I’m reminded about it at every World Cup. It’s something I’m immensely proud of.
“But I would be absolutely thrilled if Harry joins me in having a Golden Boot.
“It would only take a hat-trick from Lukaku or something miraculous in the final from Mbappe or Griezmann to get past him.
“He’ll want another goal to ensure he gets the Golden Boot and eclipses me – and nobody would be more than happier than me if he does that.
“Overall, he has had a terrific tournament, he has showed nerves of steel taking penalties and in the shootout. He has been a great leader, a fabulous example and done his country proud.”
Lineker, who scored 48 goals in 80 England caps, is preparing to broadcast the BBC’s coverage of the World Cup on Sunday.
The former Tottenham and Everton striker reckons the 24-year-old Kane needs to start lifting silverware over the next few years to ensure he has a fulfilled career.
Lineker added: “Harry has already come a long way. He’s already one of the best strikers in world football.
MOST READ IN WORLD CUP
“I don’t know how much further you can go from that other than start collecting trophies at club and country.
“He’s prolific as anyone in world football. He has got that sense of where the goal is, he's calm, he’s an excellent finisher, a threat in and out of the box. His general all-round play is superb.
“I don’t think he has anything left to prove but clearly he has the drive to go on and repeat, repeat, repeat. That’s all there is left for him to do now, until he brings in a bit of glory in terms of winning with club and country. Hopefully that will happen.”
- The BBC is covering the World Cup final between France and Croatia across TV, radio and online from 4pm on Sunday July 15