England captain Harry Kane said playing golf with U.S. President Donald Trump in Palm Beach, Florida, was a "pretty surreal experience."
The anecdote highlights the intersection of global sports stardom and political power, coming as Kane prepares for high-stakes international competition.
Kane shared the story during an interview conducted ahead of England's World Cup quarter-final match against Norway in Miami. He said the outing took place approximately 18 months [1] prior to the interview, which occurred in early July 2024 [3].
According to Kane, the meeting happened after the president extended an invitation while the athlete was visiting Florida. "He invited me to play when I was in Florida – it was a unique moment I’m grateful for," Kane said [3].
The England captain also commented on the president's athletic longevity. Trump was 80 years old [2] at the time of the discussion. Kane joked about his own future performance on the course, saying, "I hope I can play as well as the 80-year-old when I’m his age" [2].
Kane recounted the experience after being asked about his pre-match routines and personal memories leading up to the quarter-final clash. The match against Norway served as a critical juncture for the England squad's tournament aspirations.
“"It was a pretty surreal experience playing golf with the President."”
The interaction underscores the soft-power dynamics where high-profile athletes and political leaders build personal rapport through leisure activities. By sharing this anecdote during a World Cup window, Kane connects his personal brand with one of the world's most recognized political figures, while maintaining a lighthearted tone to avoid political polarization during a major sporting event.
