Captain Harry Kane believes England has a “great opportunity” to win major silverware at Euro 2024.
England will kick off their European Championship campaign on Sunday against Serbia at 20:00 BST, with the match being broadcast live on BBC One. They will also face Denmark and Slovenia in Group C.
Reflecting on England’s chances, Kane, whose team lost to Italy in the final of the last Euros on penalties, remarked that they “probably have not” had a better chance to secure a trophy than at this summer’s tournament in Germany.
“We all want to be remembered to have won a major tournament with England – not just to have had good campaigns – so we know it is something to respect and be proud of, and to keep pushing ourselves,” Kane told BBC Sport.
England were knocked out of the 2022 World Cup by France in the quarter-finals after losing the Euros final the year before.
Kane said that this time, nothing less than lifting the trophy can be regarded as good enough.
“If we don’t win, we’re going to be disappointed,” he said.
“As much as you can be unlucky and go out on penalties, we really want to win and start winning as a national team because we have been taking steps towards this moment. It is going to be tough, we know that, but we’re ready for the challenge.”
If Kane starts against Serbia as expected, he will set new Three Lions records with his 23rd major tournament appearance and his 12th game at the Euros.
England’s all-time leading scorer with 63 goals, Kane will also become the first player to captain the men’s team at four major tournaments.
Kane described playing at this level as “the pinnacle” of any English footballer’s career. The former Tottenham striker, now with Bayern Munich, expressed that he is “extremely proud” of his record for his country.
He said: “It’s not easy to play for England, first and foremost – even harder to get into the major tournaments.
“It’s a proud achievement because I think it shows consistency, good work ethic, professionalism, and to be able to make yourself available for all the tournaments is not always easy.”