If Harry Kane were to be sent off during England’s World Cup quarterfinal against Norway on Saturday, perhaps he could try calling President Donald Trump for help getting back on the field.
The England captain revealed ahead of the match that he played a round of golf with Trump about 18 months ago while in Florida.
“He invited me to play when I was down in Palm Beach. When the President invites you somewhere, it was a pretty surreal experience just to meet him and to play golf with him,” Kane said Friday. “His golf is pretty good to be honest with you. I hope I can play as well as him when I’m his age, that’s for sure.
“Unique experience. Grateful he invited me down to play with him.”
Kane said he played “pretty alright” during the outing. His comments came after Trump publicly praised the 32-year-old forward several times in recent days.
Trump first mentioned Kane on social media after the England star helped lead his team to a 3-2 victory over Mexico in Mexico City in last Sunday’s Round of 16 match.
Kane converted a penalty for England’s third goal and also recorded an assist in the win.
“Harry Kane of England is a GREAT player!!!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Trump — whose role in the overturning of U.S. star Folarin Balogun’s red card has been much scrutinized — later mentioned to reporters that he and Kane golfed together.
“I think Kane is a great player,” Trump said earlier this week, per ESPN. “I played golf with him and I like him a lot. He’s a good golfer too. He’s really great.”
Kane is looking to lead England back to the semifinals for the first time since 2018 and to their first World Cup final since 1966, which also marks the last time The Three Lions won the event.
The Brits are betting favorites Saturday against Norway and star Erling Haaland and, should they win, would face either reigning champion Argentina or Switzerland in the semifinals on July 15.
Saturday’s match will feature plenty of discussion about Kane and Haaland, but he said the two are different players.
“I know we’re both seen as strikers, but two totally different positions, if I’m being honest,” Kane said Friday. “Erling’s been incredible. Physically he’s a machine, he’s a beast, he’s finishing at the highest level and obviously his goalscoring record speaks for itself.
“I see myself as a different player. Although I score the same goals, I like to touch the ball a little more, be involved in play a little bit more, but also can play as an out-and-out [No.] 9. I don’t think it’s one to compare ourselves. I respect him a lot as a player, as a fellow professional.”
