Harry Kane breaks England appearance record and presented with gifts ahead of Croatia clash

Harry Kane has broken Peter Shilton’s appearance record for the England men’s team after playing against Croatia in the Nations League at Wembley this evening.

Thomas Tuchel had already confirmed at his pre-match press conference on Wednesday that his captain Kane would start the match and that was rubber-stamped when the teams were released an hour and 15 minutes before kick-off.

It is the 33-year-old’s first game for his country since winning the Ballon d’Or last month and will be his record 126th England cap, meaning he surpasses Shilton atop the list.

Harry Kane broke the England appearance record (PA)

The legendary goalkeeper presented Kane – who has also scored a record 91 goals for the Three Lions – with a special golden crest ahead of the match at Wembley to celebrate the milestone.

During the short ceremony ahead of kick-off, Kane was given a replica of the ball that Englishmen brought to Croatia in 1880 to start their love affair with football. That was presented by Croatia captain Luka Modric.

Prince William also presented Kane with a framed England shirt with ‘Kane 126’ on the back before the English trio posed for photos.

Harry Kane, Prince William and Peter Shilton all were involved in the pre-match celebration (Reuters)

Kane was also re-presented with hi Ballon d’Or trophy (PA)

Kane was then re-presented with his Ballon d’Or trophy after last month’s triumph as the crowd saluted their hero and unfurled a huge tifo of the striker.

The Independent’s chief sports writer Lawrence Ostlere was at Wembley and said: “A nice moment here at Wembley to mark Harry Kane’s extraordinary career, with his children on the pitch. The highlight was undoubtedly Prince William ushering Peter Shilton to come and join in the group photo with Kane, like a very weird family holiday.”

It was an emotional and celebratory atmosphere for the man who many consider to be England’s greatest player of all-time, although Tuchel sidestepped any controversy by hedging slightly when asked if Kane was indeed the greatest Three Lion.

“I don’t know, but he is up there of course,” smiled the German at his pre-match press conference. “It’s now proven and it's always nice if things are proven.

“He has his collection of prizes, his records, he will build on these records, score more goals and get more games. Tomorrow he will start as captain of course.

“It's a big occasion to present the Ballon d’Or to our fans and bring it to the country, and have it on the same day when he gets his all-time record for 126 matches. It’s a beautiful, beautiful occasion.

“On top of that it's a match that matters, it is not a friendly, it is a Nations League match. It is something Harry has to digest it as quickly as possible. There will be a lot of praise, a lot of emotions before kick-off and we need him in the best shape to win the match for us.”

Kane won the Ballon d’Or last month (AFP/Getty)

England thrashed Croatia 7-0 in the reverse fixture in the previous international break and need just a point to book their spot in the Nations League quarter-finals in March.

They play their final group game against world champions Spain in Madrid on Sunday evening and should they win both matches, they may well top the group ahead of the Spaniards.