Alan Shearer settles Harry Kane debate with clear answer on who is the better striker

Alan Shearer has settled the striker debate between he and Harry Kane as he weighed in on what separates the two.

Shearer still holds the record for the most goals scored in the Premier League with 260. After a series of high-scoring seasons with Spurs, Kane reached 213 in the top-flight and was hot on his tail for the record.

His move to Bayern Munich in 2023 stopped that pursuit but allowed him to win major trophies and receive the level of recognition he deserves.

In 2026, England's record goalscorer has hit 74 goals for club and country and is a leading contender for the 2026 Ballon d'Or.

But who is the better overall striker out of Shearer and Kane?

Alan Shearer decides between himself and Harry Kane in six attributes

The Newcastle United icon was asked to pick himself or Kane for a number of different attributes before giving a deciding vote.

For finishing, Shearer opted for himself as he spoke about the relentless practice he did.

Shearer, a Betfair Ambassador, said: “It's difficult to say while someone’s still playing and banging in 60 or 70 goals a season, but I back myself. I back myself in the finishing. I was quite happy with my finishing, so me.

“I practiced for years and years and years, even before my career and during my career. It was something I always practised.”

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For heading, the Match of the Day pundit also picked himself. But he sided with Kane for vision, noting how the England captain has evolved his game in a wonderful way.

He stated: “Harry Kane, I think, because of his ability to come and drop deep and take that ball and turn and hit the left-foot or the right-foot pass. He’s brilliant at it.

“To have that vision and see the runners off him, so Harry Kane.”

'Touch' was ultimately a draw, with Shearer stating: “With my right foot, me. With the left foot, him. So I’m going to say 50/50 there.”

However, Kane got the nod for dribbling in a fairly easy selection. “Yeah, I was no dribbler," Shearer admitted.

"It wasn’t my forte. I wanted to get people to put the ball in the box for me. So Harry Kane.”

Football IQ also caused a tie, with Shearer believing both are on the same level when it comes to "understanding the game".

He stated: “That’s a difficult one. I’m just going to say I’ll split us down the middle again because it’s about understanding the game, when to run, how to run, and understanding people when they’re going to pass it, etc.

“So I’ll split it down the middle on that one.”

After two wins for Shearer, two for Kane and two draws, the 56-year-old had to make a decision. Overall, he selflessly selected the man vying to become England's first Ballon d'Or winner since Michael Owen in 2001.

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He summarised: “As he’s still playing and with his record, and he could be having the chance with the Ballon d’Or, I’ll give it to Harry.”

Alan Shearer backs Harry Kane for 2026 Ballon d'Or after stunning year

The highest Kane has ever reached in the Ballon d'Or rankings is 10th, a position he has been in on three separate occasions.

But he is the favourite for this year's gong, with 2024 winner Rodri a top contender after captaining Spain to the World Cup along with Real Madrid and France sensation Kylian Mbappe.

However, Shearer is adamant that Kane deserves to win and follow in the footsteps of Owen, Stanley Matthews, Kevin Keegan and Bobby Charlton.

Shearer explained: "For the 2026 Ballon d’Or, Harry Kane would get my vote. I think for the number of goals that he scored last year, he obviously won the Bundesliga and won a cup as well. "Obviously, he didn't have the success with England at the World Cup that he would have wanted. But when I look at all the other nominations, I think for what he did and the number of goals he scored that was phenomenal. So, Harry would get my vote for the Ballon d'Or this year without a doubt.

"Looking at who could finish behind him I think Mbappé would be one. I guess you've also got to look at someone like Rodri who was unbelievable in the World Cup. I know he didn't play a lot of football in the season because of injuries but Rodri I think maybe another one because of how good he was in the World Cup. He was player of the tournament wasn’t he and lifted the trophy as captain. Those would be my three.

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