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Harry Kane has lifted the lid on the four strikers who inspired his record-breaking rise to the top with Bayern Munich.
The England captain, 32, has scored 105 goals in 108 games since joining the German champions and is averaging a goal every 54 minutes this season.
He already has 20 in 12 matches across all competitions and 76 for England, both remarkable totals that underline his place among football’s elite finishers.
In an interview with Goal, Kane revealed the quartet of forwards who shaped his style and mindset from an early age.
'Brazilian Ronaldo. Wayne Rooney, one of the best strikers of all time. Raul, I loved watching him at Real Madrid. A clever player, a great finisher.
'Teddy Sheringham, I grew up with him, a very intelligent footballer with an incredible career. I learned a lot from him as a young player.'
Harry Kane has revealed that his former England team-mate Wayne Rooney was an inspiration to him as a youngster
The England captain also cited Real Madrid legends Ronaldo (left) and Raul (middle) as idols
Former Tottenham skipper Teddy Sheringham was also named as an inspiration by the 32-year-old
Kane ended his long wait for silverware earlier this year when Bayern were crowned Bundesliga champions, finally securing the first major trophy of his career.
His relentless scoring run has reignited talk of a Ballon d'Or challenge, an award last won by an Englishman when Michael Owen lifted it in 2001.
Despite finishing 13th in the 2025 rankings, the Bayern forward's form since has only strengthened his case for next year's prize.
Observers in Germany argue that Kane's impact stretches well beyond his finishing. His intelligence, movement and defensive work have been central to Bayern's flying start under Vincent Kompany.
Former Ballon d'Or winner Lothar Matthaus reflected that Kane 'has reinvented the centre-forward game, as Manuel Neuer did with goalkeepers', writing in his Sky Germany column that 'I don't see a better striker in the world right now'.
Kane's former team-mate Kingsley Coman also stressed his unselfishness, saying earlier this year: 'Harry makes you better, he is not here just to finish, he will put you in front of the goal.'
Kompany's decision to give Kane near-total attacking freedom following Jamal Musiala's long-term injury has unleashed the full range of his abilities.
The results have been emphatic. In Bayern's 4-0 win over Club Brugge, Kane struck his 20th goal of the campaign.
In Bayern's 4-0 win over Club Brugge on Wwednesday, Kane struck his 20th goal of the campaign
He also set up 17-year-old Lennart Karl for a stunning finish as Bayern maintained their perfect Champions League start.
With England already qualified for the 2026 World Cup after six straight group wins, Kane will now look to sustain his prolific form in pursuit of what he has called 'almost the perfect season'.
