Harry Kane has described playing golf with US President Donald Trump as a “pretty surreal experience” — a remarkable confession from the England captain as he prepares to lead his country into a World Cup semi-final against Argentina on Wednesday evening.
Kane, who has scored six goals and registered one assist in the tournament, accepted an invitation from Trump to play in Florida 18 months ago. “When the president invites you somewhere, it was a pretty surreal experience just to meet him and obviously play golf with him,” he said ahead of England’s quarter-final victory over Norway. “His golf is pretty good, to be honest with you. I hope I can play golf as good as him when I’m his age, that’s for sure. A unique experience, but I was just grateful that he invited me to play.”
“Harry Kane played golf with Trump; England face Argentina in World Cup semi-final on Wednesday.”
Trump returned the compliment, saying: “I think Kane is a great player. I played golf with him and I like him a lot. He’s a good golfer too. He’s really great.”
The Bayern Munich striker, who helped fire the German club to the Bundesliga title after moving from Tottenham Hotspur in August 2023, now carries the hopes of a nation. England, under manager Thomas Tuchel, are seeking their first World Cup final since 1966. Their opponents Argentina have scored 17 goals en route to the semi-final, as shown in a compilation video released by BBC Sport.
Kane’s journey to global stardom began at Larkswood Primary School, where he met his future wife, Kate Goodland. They married in 2019 and have four children: Ivy Jane, Vivienne Jane, Louis Harry and Henry Edward. Reflecting on his relationship, Kane told the Evening Standard: “If I was single now and meeting people, you’d never know if they were with you for the right reasons. Is it the money? You’d never really know. So I’m lucky that I’ve got a childhood sweetheart.”
The semi-final takes place in Atlanta, Georgia, with kick-off on Wednesday evening. England also received a selection boost for the match, as reported by the Standard, though specifics were not detailed. Meanwhile, a Newcastle defender who was a surprise call-up for the tournament made an admission ahead of the clash, but his remarks were not disclosed in available sources.
Kane’s remarkable campaign — six goals, one assist, a Golden Boot contender — has been built on the foundation of a title-winning season in Germany and the stability of a family life rooted in childhood. As he steps onto the pitch against Lionel Messi’s Argentina, the memory of that surreal round of golf with the most powerful man in the world may seem distant. But for a striker who has always found his mark, Wednesday offers the chance to write a far greater story.