Watching the scenes after England's 2-1 defeat to Argentina in the 2026 World Cup semifinals were incredibly difficult, particularly the reactions of superstar players Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, who both did absolutely everything they could to help the Three Lions get to that point and were totally robbed of any impact by their manager Thomas Tuchel, who invited the collapse at the hands of Lionel Messi by taking the game away from his best players with a frustratingly cowardly set up.
It was the worst possible way for England to go against a historic World Cup rival, and it was obvious that the players were not happy with the way they were set up to play and had reservations about the philosophy Tuchel displayed as their coach.
After the game, England's 32 year old striker Kane, who is still one of the Ballon d'Or favorites despite not reaching the World Cup Final, was asked a very difficult question that has been in the back of some minds during this year's tournament. Is it possible Kane ends up retiring before the next World Cup in 2030?
Harry Kane is not ruling out retirement
Kane gave a pretty candid answer, and while he said that he cannot make a decision with so many raw emotions after a World Cup elimination, he does not know for sure what the future holds for him, leaving that possibility open despite being in his prime as a striker at 32.
The Bayern Munich superstar told reporters, via Kerry Hau of Sky Sports Germany, "It's too early to say that. I look from year to year. How I feel. I love playing for England. But of course, four years is a long time. Still, you can see how Messi still performs at a higher age. I don't know. I first have to process this exit. We gave everything, but it wasn't enough."
Nothing Kane said about how England played was wrong. It was clear that the players were giving everything they had, but what was left unsaid by Kane is that even if players give their all, if they are set up to lose by their coach, they will fall short.
But on the subject of his future, it is interesting Kane brought up the Man of the Match and record breaking World Cup goal scorer Lionel Messi. He is indeed going strong at 39, and Cristiano Ronaldo and Luka Modric are also still playing into their 40s. Kane can do it, too, and he knows he can, but it is telling that he isn't yet 100 percent sure. No Tottenham Hotspur or England fan wants to admit the end could be coming one day.
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