Statue of Harry Kane draws mixed reactions

A STATUE of England and Bayern Munich footballer Harry Kane was unveiled on Monday in Waltham Forest, London, where he was born and developed his footballing skills.

Kane described the unveiling as a "proud moment," hoping the statue would inspire future generations.

Commissioned in 2019 for £7,200, the statue spent five years in storage as the local council debated its placement. Initially considered for Chingford station, the plan was abandoned due to safety concerns. It now stands at the Peter May Sports Centre, which Kane also inaugurated in 2016.

The statue, however, has sparked widespread criticism online. Social media users have described it as “the stuff of nightmares” and unrecognisable as Kane. Art historian Richard Morris likened it to "Desperate Dan," while art critic Estelle Lovatt told Sky News it “lacks aesthetic creativity” and would not have met the standards of Roman emperors.

Despite the criticism, Kane remains optimistic, stating, "It’s a proud moment for me to return to where my football journey began."

The unveiling adds Kane’s statue to a list of British sports icons commemorated in public sculptures. While some statues, such as those of Bobby Moore and Jack Charlton, are well-received, others, like the controversial George Best sculpture, have faced mixed reviews.

Criticism of Kane’s statue has drawn comparisons to other infamous sculptures, such as Cristiano Ronaldo’s widely mocked bust at Madeira airport and Diego Maradona’s statue in Kolkata, which was likened to “someone’s gran.”

The statue now stands as a tribute to Kane’s footballing achievements, though it remains the subject of both admiration and mockery. The artist, Tony Currie, responded to the debate, saying, “Everyone is entitled to their opinion.”