Harry Kane Finally Wins First Major Trophy With Bayern Munich

For all his goals and personal awards, Harry Kane was often criticised for never winning a trophy — not with a club, and not with England.

“Many people talk about how I haven’t won anything yet,” the England captain said recently, as Bayern Munich looked set to win the Bundesliga title. “It would be nice to prove them wrong.”

Ironically, Kane had to watch from the stands as Bayern played RB Leipzig last Saturday. He was suspended after receiving his fifth yellow card of the season.

“It’s typical of my story that I’ll miss the Leipzig game,” said the 31-year-old. “But don’t worry, I’ll celebrate harder than anyone.”

Kane even walked to the touchline, ready to celebrate, but a late goal from Leipzig delayed things. The title was confirmed a day later when Bayer Leverkusen drew 2-2 at Freiburg on Sunday.

That result gave Bayern the title and finally ended the talk that Kane might finish his career without silverware.

He watched the Leverkusen game with England team-mate Eric Dier and other Bayern players. He later posted a video online of them singing “We are the champions”.

“I’m so happy for him – he really deserves it,” said former Bayern and Tottenham striker Jürgen Klinsmann.

“His stats over the last 10 years are incredible. He’s still fit, still hungry. I love watching him play.”

A long road to success

Kane’s career didn’t always look like that of England’s all-time top scorer. As a teenager at Tottenham, former youth coach Alex Inglethorpe said he wasn’t even one of the top players in his age group.

He was still in the youth team when Spurs last won a trophy — the League Cup in 2008. He got his first professional deal in 2010 and spent time on loan at Leyton Orient, Millwall, Leicester and Norwich before becoming a star at Spurs.

Kane became Tottenham’s all-time leading scorer with 280 goals in 435 games and is second in the Premier League’s all-time scoring list with 213 goals, behind only Alan Shearer’s 260.

But despite three Premier League Golden Boots, he never won a trophy with Spurs. He lost a Champions League final and two League Cup finals and missed out on the league title twice.

With England, he lost in the Euro 2020 final and the semi-final of the 2018 World Cup. He won the Golden Boot in Russia and was joint top scorer at Euro 2024, but still no title.

“I always said if Harry left Spurs, he would win trophies,” said Klinsmann, who also won his only league title after leaving Tottenham for Bayern in 1995.

When Kane joined Bayern in August 2023 for €100m (£86.4m), trophies looked certain. Bayern had won 11 straight Bundesliga titles.

He made his debut in the German Super Cup against Leipzig, but Bayern lost 3-0. Later, they were knocked out of the German Cup by third-division side Saarbrücken, and finished third in the league – their worst in over a decade. They also lost to Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-finals.

“People joked about him,” said German football commentator Taufig Khalil. “Bayern had won everything, Kane joined, and suddenly they won nothing. It was a tough season for him.”

Settling into German life

Kane stayed focused and kept trying to improve. He also replaced club legend Robert Lewandowski, which came with big expectations.

“Bayern has a long tradition of great strikers,” said Klinsmann. “To follow in those footsteps is an honour.”

Khalil added: “Even rival fans are happy to have Kane in the Bundesliga. When the England captain plays in Germany — that’s huge.”

Despite his fame, Kane stayed humble. He’s known for being professional, respectful, and friendly — with both fans and the media.

“He’s polite and down to earth,” said Khalil. “He always greets people, and even when he doesn’t want to talk, he apologises. Most players just walk past with headphones on.”

Kane has embraced life in Munich. He’s gone to Oktoberfest, visited fan clubs, and taken German lessons (although he jokes his kids will learn faster than him).

“He’s fit in well,” said Klinsmann. “Munich is international, but you still need to adapt. He’s done it brilliantly.”

Kane became close friends with Thomas Müller and plays golf with teammates like Konrad Laimer. His strong bond with Eric Dier, who joined Bayern in January, has also helped him settle.

“The fans love him,” added Klinsmann. “He’s humble, he works hard, and he scores goals — that’s what matters to him.”

Well deserved

After six lost finals — three with Spurs, two with England and one with Bayern — Kane finally has a major title.

Kane has been vital to Bayern’s success. “He’s like a young player – always running, always fighting,” said manager Vincent Kompany.

Kane is the Bundesliga’s top scorer with 24 goals and has 36 in all competitions, including 11 in the Champions League.

He missed a big chance in the Champions League quarter-final first leg but scored in the second leg. Still, Bayern were knocked out.

“When people criticised him, he accepted it,” said Khalil. “He always stops to talk after games – win or lose.”

Though Bayern had some stumbles, Kane stayed consistent. Only Gerd Müller and Lewandowski have scored more in a single Bundesliga season. In April, Kane became the fastest to reach 60 Bundesliga goals – beating Erling Haaland’s record.

He also had 15 assists, averaging a goal or assist every 72 minutes.

“He fights, he works, he scores,” said Bayern honorary president Uli Hoeness. “No-one deserves it more.”