Striker Harry Kane (32, Bayern Munich), who has etched his name in Premier League history, shared his honest feelings about his status. He noted, "I truly feel respected now," emphasizing his current standing compared to his time at Tottenham Hotspur.

Kane, ahead of the first leg of the UEFA Euro 2026 qualifying match against Albania at Wembley Stadium in the UK on the 22nd (Korea time), made a somewhat shocking statement during an official press conference: "I scored many goals during my time at Tottenham, but I didn’t feel as recognized as I do now. It is only after coming to Bayern that I feel people look at me differently."

Kane grew up wearing the Tottenham uniform from his youth, spending almost his entire career in North London, except for loan experiences. In the summer of 2023, he transferred to the prestigious Bundesliga club Bayern Munich to put an end to the uncertainty about the team's future and his personal career. His decision became a major topic and was interpreted as a gamble to shed the label of "the king without titles."

He expressed, "At Tottenham, no matter what level of performance I showed, I was ultimately overlooked because there were no trophies. Even scoring 40 goals, it was difficult to be in the top 10 for the Ballon d'Or. It was frustrating to realize that winning individual awards without triumphs was almost impossible."

"TNT Sports" commented, "Kane's story illustrates the harsh reality of being part of Tottenham." Kane set records such as being the top scorer in the Premier League and the all-time top scorer for Tottenham, yet he never managed to claim a title.

Since joining Bayern, Kane has adapted more quickly than expected and has become a key player for the team. He said, "Here, it’s an expectation to score 30-40 goals every season. It’s a huge burden, but such an environment makes me stronger. Right now, I feel a greater sense of responsibility playing on a bigger stage."

In fact, Kane scored over 40 goals in his first season at Bayern and earned the European Golden Shoe. The team, however, missed out on winning any trophies across the Bundesliga, Champions League, and cup competitions, experiencing a season of "no titles". This was the first time Bayern went through a season without lifting any trophy in 12 years.

As a result, some joked that "Kane's curse of no titles has moved to Munich." Kane also said, "Without trophies, winning the Ballon d'Or is impossible. That was the reality of last season."

Kane is more confident than ever. He stated, "If I keep scoring consistently and the team wins titles, I believe the Ballon d'Or is definitely possible." Currently, Bayern is leading the Bundesliga with only 8 matches remaining. The chances of winning are realistic.

He also expressed, "To aim for the Ballon d'Or, scoring over 40 goals and winning major tournaments is essential. This season is an excellent opportunity to fulfill those conditions," showcasing strong confidence.

He cited "age" and "familiarity" as reasons he feels overlooked. "In the past, when Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo scored 50 goals a year, they were quiet when they only recorded 40. If I were now 25, I would have received more attention," he asserted. "I am confident my performance is still at its highest level."

Meanwhile, Kane started in the match against Albania in the first leg of the UEFA Nations League quarterfinals for the 2024-2025 season at Wembley Stadium in London at 4:45 a.m. on the 22nd, leading England to a 2-0 victory with the team scoring their second goal.

[OSEN]