Harry Kane has spent most of his career proving people wrong. On Saturday, he added another reminder.

His header against Panama wasn’t just another goal in England’s march through the World Cup group stage. It was his 11th on football’s biggest stage, taking him past Gary Lineker to become England’s all-time leading men’s World Cup scorer.

It’s quite the journey for a player who was once told he simply didn’t have the body to make it.

Why did Arsenal reject Harry Kane?

Long before becoming Tottenham’s record scorer, England captain and one of Europe’s deadliest forwards at Bayern Munich, Kane was an academy player for their bitter London rivals, Arsenal. He joined as a youngster but was released at the age of eight after coaches reportedly questioned his physique and athleticism.

Kane has never hidden how much that rejection stayed with him.

After leaving Arsenal, he joined the Spurs academy, but the road to the first team was anything but straightforward. There were loan spells at Leyton Orient, Millwall, Norwich City and Leicester City, with few predicting he would become one of the world’s elite strikers. To say he’s lit up the Bundesliga would not be an exaggeration.

Instead of relying on blistering pace or flashy skills, Kane built his game around movement, timing, finishing and an obsessive desire to improve. Those qualities eventually turned him into Arsenal’s biggest tormentor, scoring regularly in the north London derby while admitting years later that being released by the Gunners gave him extra motivation to succeed.

Now, at the 2026 World Cup, that resilience is paying off again.

How many goals has Harry Kane scored?

His goal against Panama moved him clear of Lineker and made him, alongside David Beckham, one of only two England players to score in three different World Cups. It also took his international tally to 82 goals.

“I never take these moments for granted,” Kane said afterwards. “It’s another good milestone to hit, and I hope it’s not the last one in this tournament.”

For a player once considered too small, too slow and simply not good enough, becoming England’s greatest World Cup goalscorer feels like the perfect punchline.

Next up: DR Congo.

Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that on this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.

And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.