Harry Kane`s extensive wait for a significant trophy at either club or international level has finally concluded. Bayern Munich officially secured the Bundesliga title on Sunday, marking their first league championship in two years. They clinched the title with two matches remaining in the domestic season. Although Bayern drew 3-3 with RB Leipzig on Saturday, narrowly missing the chance to seal the trophy on that day, Bayer Leverkusen`s subsequent 2-2 draw against Freiburg on Sunday ensured Vincent Kompany`s side established an insurmountable eight-point lead over the second-place team, effectively wrapping up the title race.
While many Bayern players have previously won the Bundesliga, this victory represents the first team accolade of Kane`s career. He joined Bayern in the summer of 2023 after spending nearly a decade as a key player for his boyhood club, Tottenham Hotspur. His move to the German giants was driven by a desire for Champions League experience and major trophies. He was part of the Bayern squad last season that failed to win a trophy for the first time in over a decade, but the team`s fortunes reversed significantly this season.
In many ways, Kane`s career has been characterized by the pursuit of silverware. However, the 31-year-old shared with CBS Sports Golazo Network`s Morning Footy last month that this pursuit has had minimal impact on his personal mindset – and arguably, on his standing as one of the top goalscorers of his generation.
“I know there`s a lot of discussion about trophies and whether I end up with one or twenty; I don`t believe it will alter my mindset,” Kane stated. “My daily motivation is to be the best person, teammate, and player I can be. I feel I am currently in the peak of my career and want to continue playing at the highest level for as long as I feel this way.”
As Kane and his teammates celebrate this achievement in Munich, here is a breakdown by the numbers highlighting the England captain`s journey leading up to his first major title:
1: Second-Place League Finishes
Kane has not frequently been part of teams competing directly for league titles. However, he was once in a team that finished second in the table – this was not last season`s Bayern squad, but the 2016-17 Tottenham Hotspur team led by Mauricio Pochettino. They finished behind a dominant Chelsea side that season but still enjoyed one of Tottenham`s most successful recent campaigns.
2: Losses in Major International Finals
Kane`s quest for a trophy also extends to international football with England. As a key player, he has come close but fallen short on two significant occasions. England reached the finals of the Euros in 2021 and 2024 but lost both times – first to Italy at Wembley Stadium in London, and then to Spain at the Olympiastadion in Berlin.
3: Losses in Club Cup Finals
The 31-year-old also came close to winning domestic and European cups at club level, finishing as a runner-up three times. Notably, none of these instances were with Bayern. Spurs were defeated in the 2015 and 2021 EFL Cup finals, and also in the 2019 Champions League final against Liverpool at Madrid`s Metropolitano Stadium, another significant moment during the Pochettino era.
Individual Honors: Golden Boots
Kane`s individual success has been prolific, marked by numerous Golden Boot awards. He has been the top scorer in multiple competitions, including the Premier League (three times: 2015-16, 2016-17, 2020-21), the FIFA World Cup (2018), and the Euros (2024). He is also currently leading the Bundesliga scoring race with 24 goals and two games remaining, set to win the Golden Boot in his first season in Germany.
Total Career Goals: 447
Highlighting Kane`s incredible scoring prowess: his total career goals stand at 447. This includes 358 goals scored at the senior level for both club and country, a tally that is sure to increase in the years ahead if he maintains fitness.
Total Games Played: 694
Kane reached this first major title after playing a significant number of matches, totaling 694 appearances. A final illustration of his attacking efficiency: he has scored in 64% of the games he has played at the senior level for club and country, an impressive record.
Dominic Ashworth