Harry Kane blames Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for decline in key football position
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Harry Kane has admitted world football is ‘changing’ as he addressed the decline in the number of traditional number nine forwards.
The England and Bayern Munich striker pinpointed the impact of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo during their careers for the change.
Messi and Ronaldo have dominated world football for over a decade with their record-breaking feats in front of goal.
Despite starting out as wingers, the pair have both scored more than 850 career goals each.
Meanwhile, Ronaldo became the first player to surpass the 900-goal mark in back in September.
The duo have also won 13 of the last 16 Ballons d’Or between them during their era of dominance.
Addressing the lack of traditional number nines in modern football, Kane told TNT Sports Brazil: “The game is changing a little bit. The way coaching is now [means] a lot of players grow up wanting to be wingers.
“I think [Lionel] Messi and Cristiano [Ronaldo] dominated for a long, long time playing off the wings. I think a lot of players wanted to watch them.
“When I was growing up, I had some of the best strikers in the world [to watch], so I wanted to be a No. 9.
“That's just the way football goes. I think, tactically, some managers play with a false nine, or a nine-and-a-half/10 position.
“It's a shame because, ultimately, I think scoring goals is the hardest thing in football, so I would like to see more No. 9s coming through, but over the years you'll see it come and go.
“But for sure, when I was growing up at No. 9 there were some incredible players.”
Kane himself has starred as a centre forward for the Three Lions, Tottenham and Bayern during his career.
He maintained his staggering output after moving to Germany last summer, winning the European Golden Boot with 36 Bundesliga goals in his debut season.
The 31-year-old has continued that form this term with 20 goals and a further nine assists in 17 appearances across all competitions.
Kane also highlighted his admiration for Ronaldo Nazario, who won two World Cups with Brazil.
He added: “I think we're totally different players in the way we play, but ultimately, the way he used to finish was as good as anyone, as well as the way he moved with the ball.
“His dribbling ability. His movement. I think he was as good as anyone in the world. He had a lot more ability than me if I'm totally honest. He had good pace as well.
“But for me growing up, I tried to watch all the best strikers in the world, and he was in his prime at the time.
“It was a joy to watch him, and it's been nice to score a few goals myself and take a few bits from his game.”
The former Inter Milan and Real Madrid striker won a pair of Ballons d’Or during his career.
He was also the top scorer in World Cup history with 15 goals before being surpassed by Miroslav Klose in 2014.
