Harry Kane takes inspiration from Neymar and Balotelli on penalty style

Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane has admitted taking inspiration from Neymar and Mario Balotelli’s penalty style after his horror miss at the 2022 World Cup.

The Bayern star has admitted to adopting Neymar and Mario Balotelli’s penalty style, revealing his secret to taking penalties in the future.

The leading Bundesliga top-scorer intends to learn from two of the best in the trade – a technique he admires.

In an interview with TNT Sports Brasil, the former Tottenham Hotspur talisman openly spoke about how his missed penalty against France in England’s quarter-final defeat in Qatar marked a turning point in his mindset.

Kane indicates that, in the future, he intends to adopt a different style from his usual power and accuracy, watching the goalkeeper closely before making his move.

In a decision to change his style, he throws light on the influence of several prominent forwards who have developed unique approaches to penalty-taking.

The English international specifically names Neymar and Balotelli as examples of players who often wait to see the goalkeeper’s intentions before striking the ball -something he intends to replicate going forward.

Kane said: “There’s quite a few players over the years who have taken penalties like that.

“I think [some players] pop into my head, [Mario] Balotelli was like this, Neymar was like this.

“There have been players that wait for the keeper before they hit it. That was never something I used to do, I used to go for more power and precision.”

Kane seems to be haunted by the late miss from the penalty spot that proved to be a key moment in England’s last World Cup campaign.

The moment turned out to be a heartbreaking end in the quarter-finals against France.

In the same game, the 31-year-old had successfully converted a penalty in the match, but skied his second attempt over the bar in the dying embers, as France held on for a 2-1 win.

Harry Kane skied his second attempt over the bar in the dying embers, as France held on for a 2-1 win (Image Credit: Getty Images)

Reflecting on that moment, Kane admitted: “When I missed that penalty in the World Cup, I felt like there was something that I can change, especially if you take two penalties in a game.

“It’s something I wanted to try to improve on. Thankfully, it’s been good since.”

He insists that, after a revised approach, he has seen consistent success. The English top-scorer striker has scored all nine of his penalties for Bayern in the Bundesliga this season, maintaining a high conversion rate.

His overall form has been nothing short of exceptional, banging 34 goals in 41 appearances across all competitions in his second season with the Bavarian side.

“I’m always trying to find little ways to get better,” he said. “That [penalty taking] is one of them.

“For sure it’s helped my penalties since. I’m obviously on a good run. I just have to keep doing what I’m doing.”

Kane’s Bayern Munich will face a tall order on Wednesday evening, as they travel to face Inter Milan in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie at San Siro.

Vincent Kompany’s side will seek to overturn a 2-1 deficit from the first leg if they are to secure a place in the Champions League semi-finals.