Harry Kane’s long, agonising wait for a first career trophy is almost over… but he may have to celebrate it from the sidelines.
The Bayern Munich striker picked up a one-match suspension after being booked during Saturday’s 2-0 win over Mainz, meaning he is banned for next weekend’s potential Bundesliga title-clincher against RB Leipzig.
Kane was shown a yellow card for holding onto the ball after committing a foul, although he was seemingly unsure he had even been penalised in the first place.
It was his fifth caution of the campaign, triggering an automatic ban at the worst possible moment.
The suspension is a cruel twist of fate for Kane, who has become one of football’s most high-profile nearly men when it comes to silverware.
After spending almost two decades at Tottenham Hotspur without lifting a trophy, his move to Germany in the summer of 2023 looked set to guarantee a change of fortune, with Bayern having won 10 consecutive Bundesliga titles.
Harry Kane may be forced to celebrate from the sidelines when Bayern Munich seal the title
Kane will be suspended for next week’s game with RB Leipzig after picking up five yellow cards
Despite previously featuring in three finals for Spurs, two with England and the DFL-Supercup as a Bayern player, Kane has not yet won a single team trophy during his senior career
However, Bayern were then surprising pipped to the title last season by Bayer Leverkusen, who went through the entire league campaign without losing.
But Bayern are back on top of the Bundesliga now and closing in on another title.
They sit eight points clear of Leverkusen with just three matches remaining, meaning victory over RB Leipzig next weekend would see them crowned champions again and secure Kane the first major trophy of his career.
However, the England captain will not be able to help his team over the line.
Instead, he will have to watch from the stands as his team-mates look to finish the job without him.
Kane admitted his frustration after the Mainz match, telling reporters: ‘Crazy, crazy decision! It’s kind of my story that I’ll miss the Leipzig game.
‘But no worries, I’ll celebrate more than anyone else.’
Despite missing the decisive game, few would deny Kane’s impact on Bayern’s success this season.
In 27 starts and two substitute appearances in the Bundesliga, the England captain has scored 24 goals and provided seven assists.
