England captain Harry Kane has confirmed he joined United States President Donald Trump for a ‘pretty surreal experience’ on the golf course.
Trump revealed earlier in the week that the pair had previously played a round together, telling reporters: ‘I think Kane is a great player. I played golf with him and I like him a lot. He’s a good golfer too. He’s really great.’
England take on Norway in their World Cup quarter-final clash in Miami on Saturday night.
Speaking ahead of the game, Kane confirmed he had joined Trump for a game 18 months ago in Florida and is envious of Trump’s golf game at the age of 80.
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‘I played alright to be honest, but 18 months ago he invited me to play when I was down in Palm Beach,’ the 32-year-old said.
‘So when the President invites you somewhere, it was a pretty surreal experience just to meet him and obviously play golf with him.
‘His golf is pretty good, to be honest with you. I hope I can play golf as good as him when I’m his age, that’s for sure. A unique experience, but I was just grateful that he invited me to play.’
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Tonight’s match in Miami has been billed as the battle of the two best strikers in the world in Kane and Erling Haaland, who has scored six and seven goals respectively so far in this tournament.
Bayern Munich’s Kane has scored 73 goals for club and country since the start of last season while Manchester City star Haaland has bagged 58/
When Kane was asked who is the better ahead of the match, he replied: ‘It is an impossible one for me to answer.
‘First of all, I think we are completely different players almost. I know we are both seen as strikers, but it is almost two different positions if I’m totally honest.
‘Erling has been incredible, his goalscoring record. Physically, he’s a machine, he’s a beast. His finishing is at the highest level and obviously his goalscoring record speaks for itself.
The race for the Golden Boot
Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland and Harry Kane are in the thick of perhaps the most intense scrap for the World Cup Golden Boot in history.
Here’s the numbers behind the battle so far.
Stepping up when your nation needs you most is what separates the nearly men from the true elites. So which nation is most reliant on their top scorer?
Stats from WouldYouBet.com
‘I see myself as a different player although I score the same goals. I like to maybe touch the ball a little bit more, be involved in play a little bit more but also can play as an out-and-out nine.
‘I don’t think it is one to compare ourselves.
‘I respect him a lot as a player and a fellow professional, obviously hoping he has a quiet day tomorrow.
‘His overall performances over these recent years speak for themselves. He’s a fantastic player.’