LONDON -- Tottenham Hotspur defender Jan Vertonghen says he would not swap Harry Kane for any striker in the world, even Wednesday's opponent Cristiano Ronaldo.
Kane has been directly involved in all seven of Spurs' Champions League goals this season, scoring five, but he is a doubt for the group game against Ronaldo's Real Madrid with a hamstring strain.
Like the 1-1 draw at the Santiago Bernabeu a fortnight ago, the meeting at Wembley is being billed as a contest between two-time Premier League top scorer Kane and Ronaldo, who has won the Ballon d'Or four times and won FIFA's The Best award for the second year running earlier this month.
"They're both unbelievable players. Ronaldo has his qualities and Harry has his," Vertonghen said. "We have to respect Ronaldo for what he's done and the level he's still showing. But Harry for me is one of the best No. 9s in Europe and he's shown that every week. I wouldn't swap Harry for any player at the moment."
Asked if Spurs can beat the Spanish and European champions without Kane, Vertonghen said: "Yes, definitely, I can't see why not.
"Harry is a very important player on and off the pitch for this group and having him is always a major boost but definitely we can beat them. That's our intention. With or without Harry Kane, we go for the win."
Kane has scored more goals than Ronaldo in 2017 and says he wants to emulate the remarkable goal-scoring feats of the Portugal star and Barcelona's Lionel Messi.
The 24-year-old has been mentioned as a possible replacement for Ronaldo, now 32, in the Spanish capital and former Spurs midfielder Steffen Freund said he would be the perfect fit.
"Kane can be Cristiano Ronaldo's successor," Freund told Sport Bild. "He has had an incredible development and gets better every season.
"Passing, heading, shooting technique, dribbling, finishing -- while Harry is not perfect in any of these areas, he can do something exceptional and has no weaknesses at all. That makes him the most complete striker in the world.
"He carries Tottenham with his heart. But Harry is a thoroughbred professional and always wants the maximum success."
Meanwhile, Real Madrid left-back Marcelo has suggested that it is easier to be motivated for big Champions League games like Wednesday than the smaller matches in La Liga.
Madrid head to Wembley on the back of a shock 2-1 defeat to Catalan minnows Girona on Sunday and, asked to explain why they have been better in Europe this season, he said: "Perhaps it falls down to the motivation of each player. It is normal in the Champions League that we have very high motivation in this tournament.
"It's hard to explain. Motivational factors affect each player. To win La Liga you have to perform all year round. Last year we only won the league in the last match of the season but you can't lose points over the season.
"It is very difficult playing a match every three days and keeping a high level. You have also to rest, work hard on the training ground and take the criticism that comes."