If there is one trait shared by all great goalscorers, it is single-mindedness.
Legend has it that one of the reasons Alan Shearer turned down Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United was that - with Eric Cantona already in the ranks - he would not be guaranteed penalty-taking duties.
And Harry Kane is certainly single-minded, treasuring the personal accolades that have come his way for the sheer volume of goals he has scored. This is the guy who put his Golden Boot from World Cup 2018 on top of his Christmas tree that year. And as he is yet to win a team medal of any note, those individual awards take on extra significance.
But what makes Kane’s achievements all the more laudable is that there is probably no more unselfish striker in the game. That is what makes him special and that is why he is so appreciated by the rest of this England squad.
When he walked into the dressing-room after the 2-1 win in the Diego Armando Maradona stadium, the players and staff broke into cheers and applause. Kane went around each and every one of them, clasping their hands before Southgate said a few words.
And then it was over to Harry to address the room. He kept out simple, thanked them all and then urged them to keep going. Moments like that are why Southgate made him his skipper. Don’t forget, it was not a foregone conclusion that Kane would succeed Wayne Rooney - another unselfish striker - as England captain.
Southgate staged something of a beauty contest and many thought Jordan Henderson might get the nod ahead of World Cup 2018. But, in Kane, Southgate saw leadership qualities that were hidden from the sight of others. Kane sets the example with his professionalism, his attitude to training and his commitment on the pitch.
Thursday night in Naples was all about that goal, all about that penalty, but it was wonderfully fitting that it came in a selfless, outstanding individual display. Kane is not just a great scorer, he is a great leader.
