A new statue of football star Harry Kane has been unveiled at the Peter May Sports Centre in Walthamstow, London. The sculpture, depicting Kane sitting on a bench with a ball on his knee, was commissioned by the Waltham Forest Council in 2019 and completed in 2020 but remained in storage for nearly five years due to difficulties in finding a suitable location.

Originally intended to be placed at Chingford train station near Kane’s birthplace, security concerns and risk assessments led to the cancellation of these plans. It was ultimately installed at the Peter May Sports Centre, where both Kane and David Beckham played during their youth.

The unveiling has elicited mixed reactions from fans and art critics alike, with some expressing disappointment over its lack of resemblance to Kane, drawing comparisons to the infamous Cristiano Ronaldo bust in Madeira.

Art critic Estelle Lovatt commented that the sculpture “lacks aesthetic creativity” and fails to appropriately immortalize the footballer. Despite the criticisms, Kane’s spokesperson stated that the player is thrilled with the statue and appreciates the recognition of his achievements. Kane, who recently scored his 69th goal for the England national team in a Nations League match against Ireland, continues to be a prominent figure in international football.