Harry Kane Isn't Cursed, Just Wrong "Pool"

MUENCHEN, MONDAY — After waiting for more than 14 years since his professional debut, Harry Kane has finally won his first major trophy. The striker quenched his thirst for titles at the age of 31 with the German giant Bayern Muenchen. Kane truly deserves this achievement.

The certainty of Bayern winning the German League was confirmed after the competing team Bayer Leverkusen drew 2-2 with Freiburg at the Europa-Park Stadium, Sunday (4/5/2025) evening WIB. With 76 points, Bayern is followed by Leverkusen (68 points), which can no longer catch up in the remaining two weeks.

Kane's disappointment lasted only one night. He had hoped to celebrate the title when Bayern faced RB Leipzig last Saturday. Kane even stood by the sidelines despite being absent due to a card accumulation. However, the match ended in a 3-3 draw.

Kane has finally won a trophy for the first time in his career at both club and national levels. He needed 447 goals and 694 matches to achieve this feat. The captain of the England national team has also proven that the title drought curse associated with him is merely a myth.

According to Kane, the biggest motivation for winning is self-proving. "Many people, throughout my career, have only pointed out the fact that I have never won a championship title. It would be great to silence some of them," he said.

The trophy was not won for free. Bayern is indeed the most successful team in Germany. However, Kane moved from Tottenham Hotspur to Bayern at an inopportune time. In his first season, 2023-2024, Bayern is at a low point under head coach Thomas Tuchel.

Kane's journey has truly just begun this season, coinciding with the transition to new coach Vincent Kompany. The forward plays a significant role in Bayern's success in the league. He has scored 24 goals so far and is recorded as the top scorer in the league.

Former Bayern and Tottenham striker Jurgen Klinsmann said no one deserved the award more than Kane. "I'm happy because he deserves it. His stats are crazy and they will continue for many more years," he told BBC Sport.

It is understandable that many believe Kane is cursed not to win a championship. He has gone through many significant moments at both club and national levels, yet has never achieved glory. However, his individual contributions are beyond doubt. Kane has been remarkably consistent over the past decade.

Kane, a three-time recipient of the Premier League's top scorer award, once led Tottenham to the Champions League final. He also guided the England national team to the finals of the Euro 2020 and 2024. As a result, he has only witnessed the opposing team celebrating victory in those three matches.

Instead of being condemned, Klinsmann stated, Kane was simply in the wrong team. Kane served at Tottenham for too long, from the club's academy until the age of 30. As is known, Tottenham does not have a strong winning tradition. The last championship title for 'The Lilywhites' was won in 2008 in the English League Cup.

The same goes for the national team. The last time the "Three Lions" triumphed in a major tournament was during the 1966 World Cup. With Kane, England's performance has drastically improved. They reached the final again for the first time in 2020 and repeated a similar achievement in 2024.

The situation is different in Bayern, which has a winning tradition. Kane is surrounded by teammates with a winning mentality. He does not have to bear the burden alone, as he did at Tottenham. "I have always said, if Harry leaves Spurs, he has a chance to win," said Klinsmann.

Klinsmann once proved this statement in his career. He moved from Spurs to Bayern in 1995. In his first season with Bayern, the legendary striker immediately won the domestic league title. It was the only league trophy in Klinsmann's career.

Age is just a number, as wise people say. Many great players have only won trophies when they are nearing retirement age. Former England national team striker, Teddy Sheringham, has proven this earlier. He experienced his first glory at the age of 33.

Sheringham did not hold back, winning three trophies simultaneously with Manchester United in the 1998-1999 season. He first claimed the Premier League title, followed by the FA Cup and the Champions League. Interestingly, like Kane, Sheringham also moved from Tottenham before winning his first trophy.

Kane will turn 32 years old on July 28. His age is still within the golden phase when viewed from his productivity over the past few seasons. This indicates that the league trophy at Bayern will not be the first and the last. Other trophies await him in the remainder of his career. (AP/REUTERS)