Harry Kane’s next chapter may yet begin with a different kind of kick. England’s captain has again spoken of his long-standing interest in American football, suggesting that an NFL attempt could become a serious option once his elite football career begins to wind down.
Kane keeps NFL possibility alive
The Bayern Munich striker, who is 33 and contracted in Germany until 2027, said he is close to extending his stay with the Bundesliga club. Football remains his priority, but he has not ruled out pursuing a place in the NFL later in life.
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Speaking during England’s international camp before Saturday’s Nations League match against Spain, Kane said he would look more seriously at the possibility of playing American football.
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He said any decision would depend on how his football career develops over the next five or six years, as well as his motivation and ambitions at that stage.
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Kane raised the prospect of combining a future spell in Major League Soccer, or a comparable competition, with an American-football project in the United States.
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He acknowledged that such a dual arrangement could become harder from 2027-28, when MLS is scheduled to move towards a July-to-May calendar. That would overlap far more directly with the NFL season, which runs from September to February.
A kicker’s route
Kane has long followed the NFL closely and has previously appeared in promotional content showing his knowledge of the league’s franchise logos. He is also a keen golfer, but American football appears to be the sporting challenge he has considered most seriously beyond football.
If he does make the switch, the former Tottenham forward sees himself as a kicker. He has previously demonstrated kicking ability in a promotional appearance around a decade ago, and drew a comparison with the demands of taking penalties.
“I take penalties, and the pressure and technique are very similar,” Kane said.
He also made clear that any move would require preparation rather than an instant leap from one sport to another. Kane believes he would need between six months and a year to train properly and test whether an NFL transition was realistic.
For now, Bayern remain the central focus and an extension is nearing. But the door remains open: one of football’s most prolific modern forwards has not abandoned the idea of trading penalty-box pressure for the decisive kick of an NFL game.
