England captain Harry Kane has confirmed he played a round of golf with former U.S. President Donald Trump. Kane described the experience as “surreal” and praised Trump’s golf game. The confirmation came ahead of England’s World Cup quarter-final match against Norway.
Trump had previously mentioned playing golf with Kane, referring to the Bayern Munich forward as a great player and a good golfer. This revelation followed England’s 3-2 victory over Mexico in the last-16 stage of the tournament, after which Trump had posted on his Truth Social platform, calling Kane a “GREAT player!!!”.
Speaking on Friday in Miami, Kane confirmed the golf round took place approximately 18 months ago in Palm Beach, Florida. He recounted being invited by the president, stating, “when the president invites you somewhere…”
Kane reflected on the unique nature of the encounter, noting, “It was a pretty surreal experience just to meet him and obviously play golf with him. His golf is pretty good, to be honest.” He also expressed a wish to play as well as Trump when he reaches a similar age, adding, “I hope I can play as well as him when I’m his age. So yeah, unique experience and I was just grateful he invited me down to play.”
Trump had also conveyed his admiration for Kane on Monday, reiterating his positive assessment of Kane’s golfing abilities and overall character. The former president had complimented the England striker on his golf, his football, and as a person.
The confirmation from Kane came during a pre-match press conference in Miami, where he was addressing reporters ahead of England’s upcoming World Cup quarter-final match. The tournament is now at a critical stage, with only six teams remaining before the semi-finals.
In other World Cup news, Spain secured a victory over Belgium in their match, with Spain boss Luis de la Fuente expressing “high expectations” for their semi-final clash against France. Meanwhile, England is preparing to face Norway in Miami, and holders Argentina are set to play Switzerland in Kansas City.
Thomas Tuchel, whose team is also in the quarter-finals, emphasized the importance of connecting with their identity and being brave. He stated, “We need to connect to our identity, connect to what makes us strong, be on the front foot and be brave. It’s the quarter-final and the brave will have the luck on their side. We cannot have any regrets when we play a quarter-final. We have to go for it. This is the most important thing.”
Kane also shared that Sir David Beckham wished the England team well when he met them before their training session at the Inter Miami facility in Fort Lauderdale on Friday afternoon. Kane mentioned that Beckham frequently messages him after matches and they maintain contact.
“He just wished us luck, after most games he messages me and we stay in touch,” Kane said regarding Beckham. He further added, “He is a big England fan, we all know how much it means for him to represent England, to be captain, (to) play the way he did every time he wore the shirt.”
Beckham’s visit was described as a show of support for the team. Kane commented, “He was just there to support us. It was good to catch up with him, and for some of (the) other lads to have a chat with him. He’s an England legend. Hopefully, we can do him proud tomorrow.”
Quarter-Final Preparations
The upcoming World Cup quarter-finals feature significant matchups. England, led by Harry Kane, will face Erling Haaland’s Norway in Miami. This match is one of the highly anticipated fixtures as the tournament progresses to its decisive stages. The other quarter-final sees defending champions Argentina taking on Switzerland in Kansas City.
The build-up to these matches is intensifying, with teams focusing on their strategies and player readiness. The outcomes of these games will determine which teams advance to the semi-finals, further narrowing down the contenders for the World Cup title. The tournament has reached a point where every match is crucial for the remaining six teams.
The quarter-final stage highlights the competitive nature of the tournament, with strong national teams vying for advancement. The matches are expected to be closely contested, as teams aim to avoid regrets and seize the opportunity to progress further in the competition. The action for these crucial matches begins tonight.
Reflections on the Experience
Kane’s comments about his golf game with Donald Trump provided a glimpse into a unique personal experience for the England captain. The interaction, which occurred in Palm Beach, Florida, was described as both surreal and memorable. Kane’s appreciation for the opportunity was evident in his remarks.
The discussion around the golf game emerged after Trump’s initial comments on his social media platform and to reporters. Trump had consistently praised Kane’s abilities both on the golf course and as a football player, highlighting his admiration for the England striker.
This personal anecdote adds a different dimension to the ongoing World Cup narrative, showcasing moments outside of the immediate football pitch. Kane’s gratitude for the invitation and his observations on Trump’s golf skills were shared openly during the press conference.
The event took place approximately 18 months ago, making it a past experience that has now come to light amidst the current World Cup excitement. Kane’s confirmation clarifies the details surrounding the golf round, which had been previously mentioned by Trump.
The World Cup continues with high stakes, as only France, Spain, England, Norway, Argentina, or Switzerland will ultimately win the tournament.
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Source: theguardian.com
As News-UK's Sports News Writer, Oscar Pennington reports on rugby union, golf and boxing for readers across the country. He built a reputation for sharp explainer pieces on regional sport. He holds a degree in Journalism from Nottingham Trent University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Oscar lives in Nottingham, where he follows the pro golf tour and amateur boxing. “Context is what turns a result into a story.”
