Harry Kane to end trophy drought? England captain targets 'respect of footballing world' for Three Lions in Euro 2024 final vs Spain

Harry Kane celebrates after scoring for England against the Netherlands in the semi-finals of Euro 2024.
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Harry Kane has said he would swap everything in his career for a first major trophy with England on Sunday night and hopes the Three Lions can earn the "respect of the footballing world" with victory over Spain in the Euro 2024 final in Berlin.

Kane has famously never won a trophy in his entire career, having missed out on the major prizes with Tottenham, England and last season at Bayern Munich.

With the Three Lions, Kane came close three years ago as Gareth Southgate's side were beaten by penalties in the final of Euro 2020, which was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Back in the final this time, the captain is hoping for a different outcome.

Why England FINALLY Came Good Against The Netherlands

Speaking ahead of the game, he said: "It would mean everything. It would be the most incredible feeling. For the fans to have that moment in history and celebrate that, it would be special.

"We have been here before, it was a tough finish in the last Euros, there’s extra hunger and fire in our belly to make sure this one goes our way."

Asked if he would swap everything in his career for a trophy on Sunday, he said: "Of course, it's no secret that I haven't won a team trophy.

"Every year that goes by you're more motivated and you're more determined to change that and now I have the opportunity to win one of the biggest trophies you could ever win and to make history with my nation.

England manager Gareth Southgate with Harry Kane after the international friendly match between England and Bosnia & Herzegovina at St James' Park in June 2024.

England manager Gareth Southgate with Harry Kane after the international friendly match between England and Bosnia & Herzegovina at St James' Park in June 2024. (Image credit: Getty Images)

"I'm extremely proud to be English. I'd swap everything in my career to have a special night by winning [on Sunday]."

The 30-year-old also spoke about changing perceptions of England as he said: "I've travelled to World Cups, European Championships, watching as an observer and watched highlight reels of matches on the big screens - and we weren't in any of them.

"We needed to change that. We had high expectations but they didn't match where we were performance-wise. Now the high expectations are still there but we've had consistent performances, certainly over three of the last four tournaments and a quarter-final in the fourth.

"In the end you have to be in the latter stages of tournaments to learn how to win the big games. A lot of records we have broken but we know we have to do this one, to get this trophy to really feel the respect of the footballing world."

Get a free live stream to watch Euro 2024 from anywhere in the world and catch the final stages of the summer's big tournament

More Euro 2024 stories

'It's in our hands' – Gareth Southgate on what he wants from England in Euro 2024 final vs Spain

Euro 2024: England's Kyle Walker on how final away from Wembley could benefit Three Lions vs Spain

England hero compares Three Lions to Real Madrid ahead of Euro 2024 final

Ben Hayward
Weekend editor

Ben Hayward is a European football writer and Tottenham Hotspur fan with over 15 years’ experience, he has covered games all over the world - including three World Cups, several Champions League finals, Euros, Copa America - and has spent much of that time in Spain. Ben speaks English and Spanish, currently dividing his time between Barcelona and London, covering all the big talking points of the weekend on FFT: he’s also written several list features and interviewed Guglielmo Vicario for the magazine.

Read more
Dan Burn of Newcastle United (33) arrives for the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Newcastle United FC at Anfield on February 26, 2025 in Liverpool, England
'It was very emotional two years ago, not just for the players but for the whole city. This time I feel as though we believe that we should be doing that on a regular basis' Dan Burn is ready to crown an England call-up with a trophy for Newcastle United
MUNICH, GERMANY - FEBRUARY 01: Harry Kane of Bayern Munich celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the Bundesliga match between FC Bayern München and Holstein Kiel at Allianz Arena on February 01, 2025 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)
'I can see the logic with Harry Kane joining Arsenal - he would be the perfect last piece in the jigsaw and suits them down to the ground': England captain touted for shock transfer to Tottenham's rivals
Thomas Tuchel, Head Coach of England, looks on during a training session at St Georges Park on March 18, 2025 in Burton-upon-Trent, England Journalist and Media pundit, Henry Winter looks on from the press box during the international friendly match between England and Bosnia & Herzegovina at St James' Park on June 03, 2024 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England
'Where’s the "one of our own" that’s remotely good enough? The FA needed to be pragmatic, not patriotic.' Writing exclusively for FourFourTwo Henry Winter reminds England fans why they have good reason to be smiling
England Women Euro 2025 squad
England Women Euro 2025 squad: Sarina Wiegman's full team
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 16: Alexander Isak of Newcastle United celebrates scoring their 2nd goal during the Carabao Cup Final between Liverpool and Newcastle United at Wembley Stadium on March 16, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
Why more Newcastle success will follow now their Wembley heartache has been avenged
BERLIN, GERMANY - JULY 14: (LR) Kieran Trippier of England Ivan Toney of England Anthony Gordon of England Joe Gomez of England and Cole Palmer of England disappointed after they lose after the UEFA EURO 2024 final match between Spain and England at Olympiastadion on July 14, 2024 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Jürgen Fromme - firo sportphoto/Getty Images)
‘If coming here has damaged my England chances, I can’t really change that. All I can do is play well. If I was to get back involved, then I’m ready for it’: Three Lions star targeting international return despite being frozen out of national team
Latest in Stories
Fulham manager Marco Silva looks on from the dugout ahead of the FA Cup fourth round tie against Wigan Athletic at the Brick Community Stadium in Wigan, England on 8 February, 2025
'I think Marco Silva is the best manager in London - he managed to really maintain the desire to play attractive football, which was really hard over the years': Former Fulham talisman showers praise on 'impressive' Marco Silva
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim looks on following his side's defeat against AFC Bournemouth
Report reveals 10 Manchester United players leaving this summer
Tottenham Hotspur back row (L-R) Dele Alli, Mousa Dembele, Eric Dier, Davinson Sanchez, Hugo Lloris, Jan Vertonghen; front row (L-R) Son Heung-min, Christian Eriksen, Harry Kane, Kieran Trippier, Ben Davies during the Champions League match against Juventus at the Wembley Stadium on March 7, 2018 in London United Kingdom
Tottenham cult hero calls retirement - to avoid 'painkiller dependency'
Thomas Tuchel will take charge of England for the very first time this evening
'He pushed us. It was tough love, but that's Thomas' Former player reveals that the new England manager will be HARD on his players
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola holds aloft the Premier League trophy at the Etihad in May 2023.
Quiz! Can you name every Premier League champion... in just 90 seconds?
LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 19: manager Ange Postecoglou of Tottenham Hotspur FC and Micky van de Venand Cristian Romero during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur FC and West Ham United FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on October 19, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)
Tottenham star Cristian Romero 'willing to do everything' to LEAVE: report
Latest in News
Fulham manager Marco Silva looks on from the dugout ahead of the FA Cup fourth round tie against Wigan Athletic at the Brick Community Stadium in Wigan, England on 8 February, 2025
'I think Marco Silva is the best manager in London - he managed to really maintain the desire to play attractive football, which was really hard over the years': Former Fulham talisman showers praise on 'impressive' Marco Silva
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim looks on following his side's defeat against AFC Bournemouth
Report reveals 10 Manchester United players leaving this summer
James Maddison of Tottenham Hotspur scores their 2nd goal during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Etihad Stadium on November 23, 2024 in Manchester, England.
Tottenham and Manchester City could smash transfer record for British wonderkid: report
Tottenham Hotspur back row (L-R) Dele Alli, Mousa Dembele, Eric Dier, Davinson Sanchez, Hugo Lloris, Jan Vertonghen; front row (L-R) Son Heung-min, Christian Eriksen, Harry Kane, Kieran Trippier, Ben Davies during the Champions League match against Juventus at the Wembley Stadium on March 7, 2018 in London United Kingdom
Tottenham cult hero calls retirement - to avoid 'painkiller dependency'
Thomas Tuchel will take charge of England for the very first time this evening
'He pushed us. It was tough love, but that's Thomas' Former player reveals that the new England manager will be HARD on his players
Arsenal squad for 2024/25 LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 11: William Saliba of Arsenal celebrates scoring his teams first goal with teammates during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Arsenal FC and Olympique Lyonnais at Emirates Stadium on August 11, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Arsenal warned, as Real Madrid are coming for their star next: report