England captain Kane feels he is 'taken for granted'

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The 31-year-old player stands as the all-time leading scorer for the Three Lions and aims to increase his record of 69 goals during the opening World Cup qualifier against Albania at Wembley on Friday (19:45 GMT), which will mark the first match under new coach Thomas Tuchel.

Yet, despite his remarkable scoring record for England, Kane has faced criticism within the German media concerning his performances at Bayern Munich, where he has netted 76 goals in 82 games.

"It's similar to when [Cristiano] Ronaldo and [Lionel] Messi were posting astonishing numbers and then the following season they would score 40 instead of 50. It felt like they were having a poor season," Kane remarked.

"People sometimes take it for granted, and perhaps that applies to my time with England too. I’ve tallied 69 goals, and when I score against teams like Albania or Latvia, there’s an expectation that it should happen, so it doesn’t get as much attention.

"If I were 25 now and achieving what I’m doing, perhaps the buzz around me would be different than it is at this moment. That reflects where football stands today. I've observed this with other players entering their 30s.

"Maybe there's a tendency for people to become a bit weary of your accomplishments, but I’m definitely not tired of it. I’m looking forward to these matches and the upcoming challenges."

This season, Kane has found the net 21 times in 24 Bundesliga matches, crucial for helping Bayern establish a six-point lead at the top of the standings.

Additionally, they are set to compete in a Champions League quarter-final against Inter Milan. Nevertheless, at times, the impact of the former Tottenham forward has been scrutinized in Germany.

"It's challenging. Sometimes it motivates me. Other times, to be honest, I try to distance myself from it as much as possible," Kane explained.

"When I was younger, I paid more attention than I do now. In the end, I tend to judge myself more harshly than anyone outside could, but I always use it as motivation to prove critics wrong.

"In modern football, the contrasts between highs and lows seem vast. You may go from not scoring for several matches, leading people to say you lack sharpness, to suddenly scoring and being viewed as a Ballon d'Or candidate. The fluctuations feel extreme.

"I recognize my achievements throughout my career, and I believe I command considerable respect among many football professionals, as I have accomplished a lot."

Kane pursues the Ballon d'Or

The last English player to win the Ballon d'Or was Michael Owen in 2001.

However, Kane feels that his move to Bayern in 2023 has given him the opportunity to vie for the prestigious award that honors the best player in the world each year.

"Being part of an organization like Bayern Munich has only served to enhance my drive further, both in terms of confidence and responsibility," he added.

"I believe I have certainly improved, my skills have advanced, and perhaps my presence as a player is gaining more respect compared to the past, especially when participating in significant matches and important moments.

"I experienced similar feelings last season, having netted over 40 goals, yet I was never in contention for the Ballon d'Or, as our team did not secure any trophies.

"There are chances available. This is likely what I mean when I say I am being taken more seriously on a global level, particularly on larger platforms.

"To be considered for accolades like that, one must collect sufficient team honors and likely accumulate around 40 goals, which is indeed a feasible goal this season.

"That is absolutely something I aspire to accomplish."