It was, on reflection, the kind of act you would never expect from Harry Kane. Late on Sunday evening, out came his mobile phone and he started recording the scene in front of him, before turning the camera on himself.
His hair was a little dishevelled, the smile proof that a good night was being had by all. Kane isn’t one for inviting the world into private moments but, occasionally, exceptions to the rule must be made. And this, absolutely, was one of them.
So there Kane was, an arm around his friend and team-mate Eric Dier, singing at the top of his voice the song you hear every year at this time when a team have been successful.
‘We Are The Champions, my friend!’ Kane hollered the Queen classic, his eyes twinkling with joy. In the background, Joshua Kimmich held aloft a glass full of beer; head coach Vincent Kompany joined in the chorus and did his best to stop his white wine spilling. ‘And we’ll keep on fighting, till the end!’
Such celebrations are nothing out of the ordinary for Bayern Munich, who regard the Meisterschale as their personal property and expect to be on the balcony of the town hall in Marienplatz, at the heart of the city, displaying it to a throng of revellers in red.
This, however, was all new for Kane. A goalscorer of his sumptuous talents really should not have had to wait until two months short of his 32nd birthday to get his hands on his first piece of silverware but what is it they say? The longer you have to wait for something, the better it feels.
Harry Kane partied the night away with Bayern Munich’s stars after winning the Bundesliga (pictured with Joshua Kimmich and Eric Dier)
You could see the joy in his eyes as they belted out a rendition of ‘We Are the Champions’
There was plenty of time for champagne, too, as they celebrated reclaiming the title
This gong has not come easy for Kane. The road to this point has been full of crashing disappointment and heartbreak on the most momentous occasions. He is obsessed by numbers but all he ever wanted was a gong.
At this point 12 months ago he was subject to some mocking. Those who thought he took the easy option in going to Bavaria couldn’t believe it when Bayern trailed in Bayer Leverkusen’s wake. How could the club that proudly tells everyone Mia San Mia! (We are who we are!) not win a trophy? Xabi Alonso, somehow, conjured the miracle campaign for Leverkusen, the first team in German history to go unbeaten through the league and cup.
So Kane’s first season in Germany was an immensely challenging experience after his £100million switch from Tottenham and the nadir, arguably, arrived on February 10, 2024.
A match in Leverkusen had been billed as a title decider but, in reality, became an embarrassment for Munich. Kane finished the match striking a pose to which followers of his career had become accustomed: hands on hips, head bowed, wanting the ground to swallow him up as opponents danced in delight.
Certain locals had identified England’s captain as the weak link. When things go wrong in Munich, the politics, internally, are intense and scapegoats are sought but those in positions of authority knew that picking on Kane made no sense.
There were issues within the dressing room, and beyond, at that point. Some established figures had caused dismay with their attitude and there was frustration about the direction Thomas Tuchel, the then coach, was taking the team.
Bayern’s top brass had noticed players were not improving as they should but exempt from any criticism were Kane and Dier. Their approach to all duties, in training and off the field, was impeccable — they had won over the people that mattered.
Kane has been a goal machine, scoring 60 times in 61 Bundesliga matches, a record that stands scrutiny against giants such as the late Gerd Muller.
Harry Kane admitted Bayern Munich stars will be ‘feeling it’ after their title celebrations
Kane hugged ex-Spurs team-mate Eric Dier, as both claimed the first trophies of their career
Manuel Neuer cooked risotto for his pals before they descended on the Kafer restaurant
Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen drew 2-2 at SC Freiburg on Sunday to gift Bayern the trophy
Kompany, who had plenty of battles with his No 9 when he was at Manchester City, recently explained the influence he’s had on the season. ‘I played against him and he has become better with age,’ he said. ‘He has a way to work towards his performances. I trust his consistency and with that quality you always get your moments.’
Bayern drew 3-3 with Leipzig on Saturday but their coronation was confirmed 24 hours later when Leverkusen drew 2-2 with Freiburg. The squad gathered to watch the match on the outskirts of Munich and the party was long and boisterous. Cigar-smoking Kane and Dier led an encore of Sweet Caroline, and the aspect that was so noticeable was the natural joy of it all.
You can make fortunes, you can have records and caps for your country but the one thing any footballer wants is a medal. He will get his on Saturday — not to mention an obligatory dousing with the local Augustiner beer — when Bayern host Borussia Monchengladbach in their final home game. It is an experience he does not want to end.
‘What a night and what a celebration with the players and the staff,’ he said on social media. ‘I’m sure everyone is feeling it a little bit. But we are here and I feel amazing. It has been a long time coming. There has been a lot of hard work and dedication and it just feels sweet to win the title.
‘It’s the first one of my career. The support I get never goes unnoticed and I can’t wait to enjoy these next couple of weeks. I can’t wait to be at the Allianz on Saturday and celebrate in front of the fans. Then we will look forward to the next one and go again and try to get number two.’
