Harry Kane is already the best striker in the world but is now being considered in Cristiano Ronaldo’s bracket, says Mauricio Pochettino.
England striker Kane joked Ronaldo had put him “under pressure” with the Portugal forward’s hat-trick in their World Cup opener against Spain.
Kane hit back with two goals of his own to earn England a dramatic win over Tunisia on Monday, only for Ronaldo to move further ahead in the race for the competition’s Golden Boot with the winner in Portugal’s 1-0 victory over Morocco on Wednesday.
Pochettino played down comparisons between Kane and Ronaldo last September last year, but admits the Spurs striker is now being considered among the best in the world.
“To be talked about in the same breath as Cristiano is something special,” Pochettino told The Sun.
“But that is how people are talking about Harry now. For me, he is already the best striker in the world.
“He is not just a finisher. He can drop off, he can influence, he can read games, he can adapt to different tactics and formations.
“That is the complete player, that is somebody who can change and evolve as the game is being played.”
Kane displays the same level of passion for his national side as Diego Maradona, according to Pochettino.
Maradona famously ended English hopes in the 1986 World Cup with two goals in the quarter-finals – one of which has since been dubbed the “hand of God”.
“I think of Diego Maradona, Ossie Ardiles, players like this, who I know loved being away with their country,” said Pochettino.
“It is something special and Harry has created that with England.”
