Kane’s last World Cup? Elimination hits Golden Ball hopes

England's defeat to Argentina in the 2026 World Cup semifinal may represent more than just the end of their tournament run. At 32, Harry Kane left the pitch in Atlanta facing a double frustration: missing his chance to play in his first World Cup final and seeing his Ballon d'Or candidacy weaken significantly.

Heading into the tournament, Kane was a top contender for the world's most prestigious individual award following a prolific season with Bayern Munich, where he dominated the Bundesliga. However, the exit in the Champions League earlier in the year, combined with falling short of the World Cup final, has stripped the striker of key arguments that supported his claim to the award.

The elimination has also sparked inevitable discussions about the captain's future in major tournaments. By the time the next World Cup arrives, Kane will be nearly 37. While he stopped short of calling this his international farewell, he acknowledged that four years is a long time.

"It is still too early to talk about it. I go season by season. The national team is my pride, it is what I like to do most. Four years is a long time, but just look at Messi. At 39, he continues to perform at the highest level. I never want to put limits on these things," said the striker after the loss.

Despite the disappointment, Kane still has goals to pursue in the third-place match against France. The striker remains in contention for individual scoring stats, and the team is looking to secure their best World Cup finish since 1966, as England has never finished third in a World Cup.