Harry Kane’s first major trophy has come after a long and often frustrating wait. The England striker, who had been a fixture in high-stakes finals but had never before experienced the joy of victory, finally tasted success with Bayern Munich. After years of individual accolades and near-misses, Kane has shed the image of a gallant loser and embraced the euphoria that comes with winning.
In the aftermath of Bayern’s 34th Bundesliga title, Kane is full of a joy that’s palpable. The night is filled with celebrations, fireworks, and the sound of jubilant fans outside the Allianz Arena, but Kane’s mood stands in stark contrast to his usual post-final demeanor. Gone is the look of defeat that has often accompanied him in his career. Instead, he is full of smiles, relaxed and soaking in the moment. “It’s nice to be on the other side,” he reflects, echoing a sentiment he’s carried for much of his career. His journey has been filled with “so many jokes, so many sneers” as he watched others lift trophies while his own resume remained empty.
As a player, Kane’s numbers have been staggering: 71 goals for England, a Premier League Golden Boot, and the Bundesliga Torjägerkanone. But the absence of a club title had always left a significant gap. After years of watching rivals take the spoils, Kane’s move to Bayern Munich in search of silverware finally paid off. The moment was so much more than just about lifting a trophy—it was about erasing the shadow of disappointment that had lingered over him for so long.
Kane’s celebrations were carefree and full of energy, running around the Allianz Arena, dousing teammates with beer, and even being caught in the traditional Bavarian beer shower. Despite the euphoria, he insists that his success will not change him as a player. “It doesn’t change me as a player,” he says. “It was something that was missing from my résumé. Maybe once you’ve won your first one there’s a little less to talk about and throw my way, but again it comes with it.”
Reflecting on his journey, Kane compares his experience to that of other athletes who have endured long waits for major victories. He draws a parallel with Rory McIlroy’s breakthrough win at the Masters after an 11-year major drought, acknowledging the emotional weight of such a journey. “I’m very aware of the fact that I hadn’t won it. I put myself under more pressure than anyone else,” Kane admits. As the years passed and the trophy shelf remained bare, doubt began to creep in, but he never stopped pushing.
Kane’s decision to leave Tottenham Hotspur for Bayern Munich was a big one, driven by a desire to challenge himself at the highest levels of football. “It was a big decision. I could have easily stayed at Spurs, played in the Premier League and carried on scoring goals, but I wanted to push myself. I wanted to see how good I could be and play in the biggest games,” he explains. Despite not winning in other competitions, Kane feels that this title is just the beginning of something special.
The night was even more meaningful as he celebrated with his family, particularly his four-year-old son, who took part in a penalty shootout in front of the passionate Bayern fans. Those personal moments, in the midst of such a monumental achievement, are what Kane will remember most.
Looking back on his career, Kane is proud of how far he’s come. From loan spells at Norwich and Leicester, where he struggled to make an impact, to becoming one of the best strikers in the world, his story is one of hard work and perseverance. He’s also passionate about using his platform to help others, particularly with mental health awareness. Reflecting on his own challenges, Kane encourages others to never give up, to push through tough times, and to always keep moving forward.
With his first major trophy in hand, Kane knows that the critics won’t disappear there will always be new goals to reach and new challenges to face. But for now, he can savor the joy of being on the other side, celebrating in Munich, a long-awaited reward for years of determination.
