New Delhi: England captain Harry Kane has been the most outstanding player of the FIFA World Cup so far, delivering consistently in high-pressure matches and shouldering the burden of his team more than Argentine wizard Lionel Messi and French superstar Kylian Mbappe, according to former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia.
Bhutia, an expert on the Zee 5 panel for the World Cup, said Kane's ability to carry England when it matters most sets him apart. "So far for me, Harry Kane has been the most impressive because he has really carried England and delivered when it really counted. They've had some big, tough matches and Kane is one player who delivers in tough situations," Bhutia told PTI in an interview.
England topped Group L with two wins and a draw, then defeated DR Congo 2-1 to advance to the Round of 16. Kane scored five of England's eight goals in the group stage, placing him third in the goal-scoring chart behind Messi (seven) and Mbappe (six). However, Bhutia emphasized that Kane's contributions go beyond just numbers. "Obviously, France, in terms of Mbappe, has also been very good, he's delivered, as has Messi. But when it comes to one person really lifting the team, carrying the team on his shoulders, it has been Kane," he added.
Kane's journey to World Cup stardom
Harry Kane, 29, has been a consistent performer for England since his international debut in 2015. He captained the team to the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup, where he won the Golden Boot with six goals. His leadership and goal-scoring prowess have made him a talisman for the Three Lions. In this World Cup, Kane has shown remarkable composure in crucial moments, including a penalty against DR Congo and a match-winning header against Spain. He has also been involved in build-up play, dropping deep to link midfield and attack.
Bhutia believes Kane could emerge as the tournament's best player or highest scorer, winning either the Golden Ball or Golden Boot. "I think it depends on which team goes further. If England reaches the final, definitely Kane. If France go to the final, I think Mbappe. So yeah, Kane, Mbappe would be two front runners for me for the maximum goals and best player as well. I think it's going to be between two of them," he predicted.
Comparing Kane, Messi, and Mbappe
While Messi and Mbappe have scored more goals, Bhutia pointed out that Argentina and France have deeper attacking talent. "Messi hasn't faced difficulty yet. So Round of 16 onwards, Argentina will also start facing a bit of challenge," he said. For Mbappe, the presence of Ousmane Dembele and other quality forwards makes his job easier. "France has much better attacking teammates. So Mbappe is definitely somebody who can compete against Messi. They have Dembele, who is equally good with his attacking style and passes. Dembele has already got four goals. But more than anything, I think he's going to create a lot of problems. He's going to have quite a good assist. Dembele will be one player who does a lot of hard work for the team. And that hard work is where players like Mbappe are going to take a lot of advantage," Bhutia explained.
Kane, on the other hand, operates with a less star-studded supporting cast. England's attacking options include Raheem Sterling, Phil Foden, and Bukayo Saka, but Kane’s role as the focal point requires him to often drop deep and orchestrate play. His ability to hold up the ball and bring teammates into the game is reminiscent of classic number nines like Alan Shearer and Gabriel Batistuta. Bhutia noted that England’s reliance on Kane makes his performances even more impressive.
Top four teams: France, Spain, Argentina, England
Bhutia highlighted four teams that have impressed him so far: France, Spain, Argentina, and England. France, the defending champions, are playing the most attacking football. "If you're looking to pick one team, definitely France. The kind of four forwards they have, they are very dangerous. Mbappe can make the difference because he has quality players like Dembele around him," he said. However, Bhutia expressed doubts about France's potential semi-final matchup against Spain. "If they meet Spain in the semi-finals, I have doubts about France. Spain is picking up its game slowly. If they meet France, then I think France would have difficulty. If France and Spain play, I think Spain would be in much better position because they can take the wind out of their opponents' sails," he added.
Spain’s dominance in possession and technical ability could neutralize France’s pace. Similarly, Argentina’s resurgence under Lionel Messi has been notable, but Bhutia believes their toughest tests lie ahead. England, with a balanced squad and newfound mental resilience, are also strong contenders. Bhutia noted that the knockout stages will reveal the true mettle of these teams.
Brazil: dark horse, not favorite
Five-time champions Brazil are traditionally considered favorites, but Bhutia sees them as dark horses this time. "Brazil is going to get better. For the first time, Brazil is more a dark horse kind of a thing. Usually, when the World Cup happens, we always put Brazil as favorite but for the first time I think they are put as dark horses," he said. Brazil’s squad is deep, with Neymar leading a talented group including Vinicius Jr., Richarlison, and Raphinha. However, inconsistency in recent friendlies and injuries to key defenders have raised questions. Their group stage performances were solid but not spectacular, and they face a challenging path through the knockout rounds.
GOAT debate: Bhutia favors Ronaldo Nazario
When asked about the greatest of all time (GOAT), Bhutia dismissed the popular choices of Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Pele, and Maradona. Instead, he named Brazilian Ronaldo (Ronaldo Luís Nazário de Lima) as the greatest footballer ever. "It's not Maradona, Messi, Pele, or Cristiano Ronaldo. I would consider Brazilian Ronaldo (Ronaldo Luis Nazario) as the greatest footballer ever," he stated. Bhutia argued that Ronaldo’s combination of speed, skill, strength, and goal-scoring ability in his prime was unmatched. He also pointed out that in this World Cup, Messi is performing far better than Cristiano Ronaldo, whose Portugal team struggled in the group stage.
Asian and African teams: mixed performances
Bhutia expressed disappointment with Asian teams, particularly Japan and South Korea. "Asian countries went into a lot of challenges this World Cup because of many problems within the region. And I felt that especially Japan could have done much better. They did very well, unlucky in the last minute to concede. South Korea was definitely disappointing, but I think Asian countries also suffered due to many political issues, a lot of off-the-field issues than on the field. So I feel that they have not had great preparation like other countries. So Asian countries did suffer a bit," he said.
In contrast, African nations showed improvement, with Morocco having a slight chance of reaching the semi-finals. "They are catching up because if you look at world football now, a lot of African and South American players play in many European leagues. So that is making a big impact on their play. I think still it's going to take some time, though not a very long time. I would doubt any African country going to the semi-finals, though Morocco has a slight chance," Bhutia noted. Morocco’s defensive solidity and organization have been impressive, and they could surprise the favorites.
Kane's legacy and England's prospects
Harry Kane’s performance in this World Cup is cementing his legacy as one of England’s greatest ever players. With 12 World Cup goals across two tournaments, he is closing in on Gary Lineker’s English record of 10 goals in a single World Cup (1986) and overall World Cup tally. Kane’s leadership and professionalism have drawn praise from pundits worldwide. England manager Gareth Southgate has built the team around Kane, and the squad’s confidence is high after reaching the semi-finals in 2018 and the final of Euro 2020. If Kane continues his form, England could go all the way.
Bhutia’s assessment underscores the unique value Kane brings. Unlike Messi or Mbappe, who play in teams with multiple world-class attackers, Kane often has to create his own chances. His work rate, intelligence, and finishing make him the complete striker. As the World Cup progresses, all eyes will be on Kane to see if he can lead England to glory and claim the individual honors he deserves.
Source: MSN News