When Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala crumpled to the floor of the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, his fibula fractured, his ankle broken and dislocated, Harry Kane rushed to his stricken teammate. That’s typical Kane, typical of his instincts. To help.
Kane is a very, very good player, as he aims to show in sealing World Cup qualification for England against Latvia in Riga on Tuesday, and an even better human being as he shows every day of the week. That’s not always a common combination in elite sport. Kane cares.
Kane was yards away when Musiala was accidentally caught by Paris Saint-Germain’s Gianluigi Donnarumma in the Atlanta quarterfinal of the summer’s Club World Cup. Kingsley Coman looked away in horror after seeing Musiala’s mangled ankle, Michael Olise pulled his shirt over his head, hiding the anguish on his face and Joshua Kimmich held his head in his hands.
Musiala is a popular teammate, and they all knew how serious this injury was. Kane knelt alongside Musiala as Bayern’s medics ran on. Kane placed both hands on Musiala, trying to comfort him. Donnarumma did not initially realise the consequences of his challenge but when he did, he appeared inconsolable, Kane comforted him, too.
Those of us who have known Kane since he broke into professional football in 2009 were not surprised by such a show of compassion. It’s the way he was raised by his parents, Kim and Patrick, in northeast London. Kane’s from a strong family big on standards.
He was brought up to respect others, and to be a team player. “Work hard and be nice to people,” is a good mantra that embodies Kane. I did a video call with Kane last year and he logged on early, ready to chat.
