Harry Kane ended his long wait for a first team trophy as Bayern Munich clinched the Bundesliga title on Sunday without even stepping onto the pitch.
Bayern’s title celebrations had been temporarily delayed a day earlier, when Yussef Poulsen’s stoppage-time goal for RB Leipzig ensured a dramatic 3-3 draw, keeping Bayern waiting. But Bayer Leverkusen, who needed a win at Freiburg to keep their slim hopes alive, were held to a 2-2 draw, which ultimately handed Bayern the title.
Kane, who had picked up his fifth yellow card of the season in the previous match, was forced to watch from the sidelines during Bayern’s 3-3 draw with Leipzig. He had been preparing to celebrate, but Poulsen’s late equalizer delayed the festivities. However, the 31-year-old England captain will return for Bayern’s home match against Borussia Monchengladbach on Saturday, where he’ll join the celebrations with the fans at Allianz Arena.
Although Kane didn’t play in the decisive moments, his contribution throughout the season has been crucial in securing Bayern’s 34th league title. With 24 goals, Kane leads the Bundesliga scoring charts and has firmly established himself as one of the league’s top strikers. In his 15th professional season, and two years after leaving Tottenham, Kane has finally secured the silverware he has long sought.
After Bayern’s streak of 11 consecutive Bundesliga titles was broken last season by Leverkusen, Bayern bounced back this year, reclaiming the championship with two rounds to spare.
Kane, who had previously lost both Champions League and Carabao Cup finals with club and national teams, can now celebrate his first team title. Bayern manager Vincent Kompany, who won the Championship with Burnley last season, has also earned his first major managerial trophy, while Kane’s former Tottenham and England teammate Eric Dier is celebrating his first career title as well.
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