Harry Kane’s long wait for a major trophy finally came to an end this week, and the celebration was everything you’d expect from a footballer who’s endured a decade and a half of near misses.
After a season full of ups and downs, the 31-year-old England captain got his hands on his first piece of silverware as Bayern Munich clinched the Bundesliga title.
A Dream Fulfilled After a Risky Move
Kane’s £100 million transfer from Tottenham to Bayern Munich in the summer of 2023 was a bold move—one that saw him leave behind a 19-year connection with his childhood club in search of what had eluded him for most of his career: trophies.
His decision proved to be worth it as Bayern reclaimed the Bundesliga title, aided by a crucial 2-2 draw between Bayer Leverkusen and SC Freiburg, making it mathematically impossible for anyone to catch them.
A Special Moment with an Old Friend
The celebrations were filled with emotion and camaraderie, especially as Kane shared a heartfelt hug with his long-time Tottenham teammate, Eric Dier.
Both players were now champions for the first time in their careers, which made the moment even more meaningful.
The pair, alongside their new Bayern teammates, belted out “We Are the Champions” by Queen, marking a moment of triumph for two friends who had been through so much together.
A Long Road to Glory
It’s hard to overstate just how long Kane has waited for this moment.
Despite being one of the most prolific strikers of his generation, he had to endure 15 seasons and 694 games before finally winning a major title.
Along the way, Kane experienced heartbreaking near misses with Tottenham—three final losses, including a Champions League final, and a second-place finish in the Premier League.
On top of that, Kane’s England team had fallen short in two European Championship finals.
His patience, it seemed, had been tested time and time again.
The Agony Before the Ecstasy
Kane’s first taste of potential silverware with Bayern came in August 2023, but it didn’t go as planned.
The German side was crushed 3-0 by RB Leipzig in the German Super Cup, leaving Kane and his new teammates empty-handed.ac
That setback was followed by a disappointing third-place finish in the Bundesliga, ending Bayern’s 11-year reign as domestic champions.
In fact, just the week before their title win, Bayern’s hopes were nearly dashed when RB Leipzig scored a last-minute equalizer, leaving Kane to watch from the bench, suspended.
A Stellar Season and Well-Deserved Glory
But Kane’s persistence paid off. After a stunning season, where he scored 36 goals, he finally got to raise a trophy in front of the fans.
His contributions on the pitch have been invaluable—24 goals and seven assists in 27 starts are nothing short of remarkable.
Bayern will get to celebrate in front of their home crowd next weekend against Borussia Monchengladbach before they head into their final match of the season against Hoffenheim.
Looking Ahead to More Opportunities
Kane’s thirst for more trophies isn’t quenched just yet.
Over the summer, Bayern Munich will compete in the revamped FIFA Club World Cup in the USA, and Kane will be looking to add another trophy to his collection.
However, this season hasn’t been without its disappointments, as Bayern were knocked out of the DFB-Pokal by third-tier Saarbrucken and fell to Inter Milan in the Champions League quarter-finals.
Could Kane Return to Spurs One Day?
Kane’s contract with Bayern runs through 2027, but the striker left the door open for a potential return to Tottenham when he left in 2023.
At the time, he said, “It’s not a goodbye as you never know how things will pan out in the future, but it’s a thank you and I’ll see you soon.”
For now, though, Kane’s focus is firmly on enjoying his hard-earned success at Bayern Munich.