Surprised by the fact that Harry Kane played despite being injured at Euro 2024.

In a heartbreaking defeat for England, they fell short to Spain in the Euro 2024 final. Jude Bellingham, expressing his disappointment, described the loss as “really cruel.” The pain of defeat was evident in the words of the young midfielder, as England’s dreams of European glory were shattered.

Former England defender Gary Neville has voiced his belief that Harry Kane was hindered by injury throughout the tournament. Neville stated that he would be astonished if Kane was not “patching himself up” in order to compete. The captain, who had missed the end of Bayern Munich’s season due to a back injury, managed to recover and feature in all seven of England’s matches, netting three goals. However, criticism has been directed towards Kane’s performances, with substitutes Cole Palmer, Ollie Watkins, and Ivan Toney making notable impacts off the bench.

Manager Gareth Southgate hinted at Kane’s lack of full fitness, acknowledging the physically demanding nature of the tournament for his skipper. Neville echoed these sentiments, suggesting that Kane’s mobility on the pitch was compromised. The former defender emphasized that it was not a matter of technical ability or performance, but rather the physical limitations that were apparent. Southgate made the decision to substitute Kane relatively early in the final, further indicating that the captain was not at his best.

Neville commended Southgate’s experience in managing tournaments but expressed disappointment in Kane’s performances, which fell short of the high standards he has set. The former defender suggested that if it were to emerge that Kane was playing through injury, further questions would arise regarding his selection. Neville concluded that it seemed evident to him that Kane was carrying some form of injury.

Kane himself acknowledged the challenges of the tournament but refused to attribute any issues to his back. He admitted that he would have liked to have performed better and that it could have made a difference in the outcome of the final. However, he accepted the reality of the situation and did not place blame on any potential physical setbacks.

As England reflects on their Euro 2024 campaign, the pain of defeat lingers. The team fought valiantly, but ultimately fell short against a formidable Spanish side. The disappointment will serve as motivation for future endeavors, as England looks to bounce back and achieve success on the international stage once again.