Harry Kane says Bayern lifted a weight from his shoulders

Harry Kane believes the trophies he has won with Bayern Munich changed his career, helping him shed pressure that had followed him for years after a long wait for team honours. The England captain and striker spoke ahead of the match against Croatia, scheduled for Thursday at Wembley in the UEFA Nations League.

His time at Tottenham is central to that account. Kane acknowledged difficult periods despite strong performances and impressive numbers, as he went without a team trophy. “In the end, that is what you play football for,” he said, describing his situation at Tottenham as unusual.

Winning his first title with Bayern changed how he dealt with that expectation. Kane described feeling as though a heavy weight had been lifted from his shoulders, particularly when facing recurring questions about the lack of silverware in interviews and press conferences. He said he felt more relaxed and freer, no longer carrying that additional pressure.

The striker now sees himself at a different stage of his career. He spoke of winning many titles over the past two years and hopes to add more, with the aim of having won more than 20 by the end of his career. He also hopes the early years, when the lack of trophies was a frequent topic, will no longer dominate the conversation.

The remarks come as Kane is expected to make his 126th international appearance against Croatia, according to Kooora. The outlet says that would make him England’s most-capped player. Kane called the achievement one of the greatest of his career, linking it to the consistency required to perform at the highest level year after year.

His club career helps explain the sense of relief: his move from Tottenham Hotspur to Bayern Munich in the summer of 2023 came before the end of a long wait for team honours. Kane has also won the 2026 Ballon d’Or, according to the context reported around these remarks. At Wembley, he said he hoped the award, still in Munich, could be presented to England supporters the following day, and praised the teammates and others who helped him win it.