Harry Kane has explained his inability to challenge Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo for the Ballon d’Or, as he targets titles at Bayern Munich.
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England captain has always been full of goalsMissed out on collective honoursHoping to end barren run with German giantsWHAT HAPPENED?
The England captain has been one of the most prolific strikers in world football for several years now. He is the all-time leading goalscorer for his country, and at Premier League giants Tottenham, but has never been able to get his hands on major silverware.
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Kane considers that to be the reason for his lack of individual recognition, telling when asked if he would like to land a prestigious Golden Ball: “I’ve had great seasons in the past but not won a team trophy at the end of it, so you’re never really going to be considered for those Ballon d’Ors and individual awards. It comes down to what you achieve as a team. You have to be able to help your team achieve those things. For us, the Bundesliga and Champions League and of course the Euros here in the summer, only by winning them as a team are you going to achieve those individual awards.”
He added on a much-publicised pursuit of elusive trophies: “It’s hard to win and this season is a prime example of that. People expect Bayern to win every season, just to go and deliver. But it’s been a tough season so far, there’s a long way to go and it’s not been easy. The Champions League is tough, we’ve got Lazio next round. You look at it, it’s probably wide open. I wouldn’t say there’s a clear frontrunner but there’s an expectation to go and win it. It’s different but I enjoy the feeling of competing for titles. We’re in a good title race this season and hopefully come the end of it, we’ll be on top.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE
Kane has hit 27 goals through 26 appearances for Bayern, leaving him in a position to rewrite the record books while earning comparisons with legendary figures such as Robert Lewandowski and Gerd Muller. Kane said of being placed in that company: “To be compared with them names is a great thing, especially in the first season, so it means I’m doing something right. You know what I’m like, I like to take things in my stride. It’s strange, after playing in the Premier League and England, just to be in a different county – obviously I don’t know the language, thankfully a lot of people speak English. It’s not easy and it takes a bit of getting used to. I’m just trying to take it day by day and slowly learn their ways, the way they do things.”
Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR KANE?
Bayern sit two points adrift of Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga table as things stand. They will be back in action on Saturday at home to Borussia Monchengladbach, while the first leg of their Champions League last-16 encounter with Lazio is pencilled in for February 14.