Harry Kane Fights Back Tears Reading Letters From His Four Children

• Harry Kane read letters from his four children on camera the morning after he broke Peter Shilton’s England appearance record, per Daily Mail.
• Ivy, nine, Vivi, eight, Louis, five, and Henry, three, each wrote to the England captain. Three promised a celebration of ice cream, fishing or sweets, and the youngest told his father he is the winner.
• Kane earned his 126th cap and scored a penalty in the 2-1 win over Croatia at Wembley on Thursday, taking his England tally to 92 goals.

The Morning After Kane’s Record, a Surprise From Home

Harry Kane is the most capped man in England history, and on Friday morning four pieces of paper caught him off guard. The 33-year-old was handed letters from his children on camera, a day after he passed Shilton at Wembley. The shortest came from his youngest, three-year-old Henry: “Daddy, you are the winner. Vindaloo! Love Henry.” “Wow, that’s uh a bit of a surprise,” Kane said as he examined the letters and artwork. “I think you guys are trying to make me cry on camera.”

Four Children, Four Letters

Kane opened Ivy’s first. His oldest child wrote: “To Daddy, I love you very much and I want you to know that I’m very proud of you and also you are the best footballer in the world, the most kind Daddy in the world and the best striker in the world.”

The letter went on: “I would like to celebrate you playing the most games for England by holiday together and eating ice cream.”

It ended: “My favorite thing about you is you never give up and I love all things you do for us. Love Ivy.”

Kane answered it straight away. “I wasn’t expecting this beautiful letter. Thank you Ivy. I love you. I’ve got one here from Vivian as well.”

Vivi, eight, wrote: “Dear Daddy, I’m so happy and proud of you. I love you because you are hard working and make the best fried eggs. I want to celebrate with you by going fishing, going down the water slides and having a cinema trip as well. Love from Vivi.”

Kane answered again. “Yeah, you’ve caught me by surprise here to be honest with you. I’m trying to just uh, stay strong for the camera. Thank you Vivi, love you.”

Next came the two boys. Louis, five, wrote: “To Daddy, I love you so much because you train and work so hard. My favorite thing we do together is play football and cricket together. I love when you play England football because you score goals and we get to sing Vindaloo. I want to celebrate with you by making an ice cream house with sweets inside. Love Louis.”

“Thank you Louie, love you, boy. This last one is from Henry,” Kane said.

Henry’s note was the short one quoted at the top, and it came with a drawing. Kane pointed the drawing at the camera. “He’s drawn me a lovely picture there. Love you, Henry. Thank you, beautiful messages from my wonderful family.”

The Night Before

The letters followed the night Kane became England’s most capped player. He had already equalled the England cap record before Thursday. Against Croatia he took the mark outright with his 126th cap, and he scored too. His penalty put England 2-1 up, and they did not give up the lead.

The Wembley crowd celebrated the record and his Ballon d’Or triumph. Kane walked onto the pitch with his four children, admired a gigantic tifo of himself in the stands and posed for pictures with the Ballon d’Or trophy. Prince William presented him with a commemorative shirt with 126 on the back. The goal took his England total to 92.

A Family Man’s Year

Kane lives with his family in Bavaria and recently signed a new deal worth £400,000 a week at Bayern Munich. He brought the whole clan to Wembley on Thursday, his parents included.

At the ceremony last month, where he ended England’s 25-year Ballon d’Or wait, he spoke to his children directly. “To Ivy, Vivienne, Louis and Henry. You’re the reason I do this.”

He went on: “I don’t think you’ll fully maybe appreciate bringing this trophy home. I’ll bring a few others home, but this one is a special one, so I can’t wait to see you and celebrate with you.”

He finished: “I want to set a good example being a father but also being a professional and what it means to work hard, what it means to believe in yourself. I love you very much.”

What Comes Next

Kane is next in action for England against Spain on Sunday. With 92 goals for his country, he has a target of 100 England goals in his sights, and a three-year-old who has already told him he is the winner.