Harry Kane has thanked the acupuncture doctor who helped reinvigorate his career as he targets more silverware on the brink of becoming England's all-time most capped player.
The 33-year-old -- who currently shares the record for most England caps with Peter Shilton -- will make his 126th appearance for England when leading out the Three Lions in Thursday's Nations League clash with Croatia at Wembley.
It is the latest in a series of accolades for Kane, who won the Ballon d'Or for the first time last month and last week signed a new contract with Bayern Munich to make him one of the highest-paid players in Europe.
Kane has won the Bundesliga twice with Bayern since moving from Tottenham in 2023 for €120 million ($133m) and he credited Dr Alejandro Elorriaga Claraco for the transformational effect his work has had on his availability.
The pair began working together in 2020 after Kane suffered persistent injury problems and although Claraco is based in Canada, he travels to see Kane every month.
"I tore my hamstring pretty much off the bone in 2020," he said. "That was off the back of having many ankle injuries and I hadn't really had a full season where I was fit. We got in touch then, started working a few months later.
"Covid happened so it gave me I think seven months between my injury and getting back playing again which looking back gave me the time that I maybe needed to get help.
"From that moment, we pretty much work every month for a few days with all the needles, a lot of nervous system stuff. Honestly, I don't know if I'd be at this stage of my career without that work and without him.
"It was an incredible find I guess, not everyone is lucky enough to find someone who can help them at that stage in their career but like I touched on, many hours behind the scenes on the treatment table with needles, with treatment and whatever it may be but the facts are there.
"I think I maybe missed 10-15 games in the last seven years and the previous seven years was more 60-70 games. Just from that point of view, I know its worked and the level I'm playing at, at 33 years old just tells me that everything we're doing is on the right track."
Kane is on a record 91 goals for England but has never won a major trophy with his country after losing back-to-back European Championship finals, in addition to this year's World Cup semifinal exit to Argentina in Atlanta.
"To win a team trophy with England, a major trophy, is my biggest dream," Kane said. "It's always been my biggest dream to win a European Championship, a World Cup or both hopefully. I know how difficult that is so extremely motivated to do that.
"I'm surrounded by great teams both club and country so hopefully it is an exciting time ahead.
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"[Surpassing Shilton] is definitely up there with the biggest [milestones.] I think it showcases consistency at the highest level. Any great player wants to be able to perform year on year. It is a testament to all the stuff behind the scenes, all the dedication, all the times that maybe people don't see that keeps me fit and healthy.
"For sure, it is one of the biggest milestones in my career. In terms of what's next, you know me, I don't like to put limits on anything.
"We spoke in the last camp about 100 goals for England and that's another incredible milestone to try and reach as soon as possible. Then regarding caps, I like to take these things as they come. We've done extremely well in tournaments, going to latter stages so caps are there to be had. We'll just have to see. Right now, I'm feeling, really really good so many more years to see what else I can achieve."
England boss Thomas Tuchel said that Ezri Konsa and Djed Spence will miss the Croatia game but are both expected to be fit to face Spain.