Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterWhen it comes to single-game performances, one man stands head and shoulders above all others who have pulled on an England shirt.Sir Geoff Hursts legendary hat-trick against West Germany in the 1966 final helped deliver a 4-2 win and, with it, England mens only major tournament victory.Hurst has watched 14 World Cups come and go without seeing another Three Lions tournament triumph, with some of the greatest strikers in the history of the game from Harry Kane and Wayne Rooney, to Gary Lineker and Kevin Keegan unable to match his feats.Latest Videos FromWatch full video here: The closest in terms of in the air and striking the ball is Shearer Hurst on the elements of Toon legend Shearers game that resembled his ownFor those not old enough to have seen Hurst play, the man himself has selected an England great that most resembled his own game.Who's a similar player to me? I would probably pick out Alan Shearer, Hurst tells FFT on the morning of the 2026 World Cup opening match. You may like JULES BREACH: Harry Kane is the most consistent striker in world football and if England are to win this summer then he will play a huge part I am one of many players who will regret not winning something Gareth Barry looks back on an England career of frustration Theres going to be a moment where England are under the cosh to win the World Cup, someone is going to have to take the game by the scruff of the neck Joe Cole on what England need to do to win the World Cup I think we're all different, the No.9s who have played for England down the years. It's easy to determine who's different when you watch players on the field, this player or that player, but the closest player in terms of the actual play and style of play, and so on, in the air and striking the ball is Shearer.But we're all different. We're all the great thing about life and football, we're all, we're all completely,Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.Hurst also reveals that he gets offers of free pints from strangers far lsss often than youd imagine, given his services to his country.I wouldnt say they queue up, but people do offer to buy a drink for me from time to time, which I always and it's very nice but I always refuse, the 84 year old says. It's weird in a way, a complete stranger coming up to me, offering to buy me a pint, so I never accept.I get it from time to time, not on a regular basis, or as often as people may think, but from time to time in certain situations, which is very flattering and very nice that people want to do that.Hurst was speaking to FourFourTwo as part of Sky Bets new campaign ahead of the FIFA World Cup, which sees a �5 million jackpot available to qualifying customers if England win the tournament, alongside an immersive public installation designed to capture national sentiment on Englands chances.Sky better giving away �5m if England win the World Cup, and also importantly, which is interesting, another �100,000 pound additionally for every goal that England score, so that is absolutely fantastic. I think, in the last World Cup, England scored about 13 to 14 goals, so that's going to add an awful lot of money to that giveaway jackpot fantastic. So that's quite a remarkable piece of interest for for the for the nation."Sir Geoff Hurst was speaking on behalf of Sky Bet after the bookmaker pledged an incredible �5 million jackpot for customers if England win the World CupTOPICSEnglandWorld CupFIFA World CupWorld Cup 2026Ed McCambridgeSocial Links NavigationStaff WriterEd is a staff writer at FourFourTwo, working across the magazine and website. A German speaker, hes been working as a football reporter in Berlin since 2015, predominantly covering the Bundesliga and Germany's national team. Favourite FFT features include an exclusive interview with Jude Bellingham following the youngsters move to Borussia Dortmund in 2020, a history of the Berlin Derby since the fall of the Wall and a celebration of Kevin Keegans playing career.
