Gareth Barry believes Harry Kane can play into his 40s.
Harry Kane is already rewriting the record books during his time at Bayern Munich, but according to former England midfielder Gareth Barry, the Bayern Munich striker could have many more years at the highest level ahead of him.
Barry is certainly qualified to discuss longevity. The former England international enjoyed a remarkable 23-year professional career, making more than 650 appearances across club football. He spent the majority of his career with Aston Villa and Everton and also played for Manchester City and West Bromwich Albion. Barry retired in 2020 at the age of 39 after becoming the Premier League’s all-time appearance leader.
Speaking about 33-year-old Kane, Barry believes the striker’s playing style gives him an excellent chance of continuing well beyond the age when most forwards begin to decline.
“I think Harry Kane can definitely go on into his 40s. You always look for players who do not rely solely on their pace. We have seen that with him, he loves to drop deep,” Barry told BetVictor. “For a center-forward, he is one of the best passers in the world, he can see a pass and execute it, which is not natural for most number nines. He looks after himself well.
“He knows exactly what he needs to do on the pitch, so it would not surprise me if he plays into his 40s, provided he still has the hunger. Bayern Munich seems like a great decision and a perfect fit, so I can understand why he wanted to extend his contract there.
“Will he play longer than (Cristiano) Ronaldo? If he maintains that hunger, there is no reason why he cannot. He can definitely get into his 40s without a problem, especially with the way players look after themselves now and the support they receive. I think we will see this trend continue more and more.”
Kane’s ability to contribute as a scorer, creator, and deep-lying forward could certainly help extend his career. If he continues to maintain his fitness and motivation, Barry believes there is no obvious expiration date.
What do you think, can Kane keep this going for another decade (which seems crazy)?
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