Uli Hoeness, president of Bayern Munich, has a flair for exaggeration. When he declared Harry Kane to be the club’s greatest-ever signing following the DFB-Pokal final, where Kane scored a stunning hat-trick in a 3-0 victory, many questioned whether he was overstating the facts. A month later, however, the fervor has cooled and his assertion stands firm. “He truly is the best we’ve ever had,” affirmed another insider from Bayern.
Kane’s seamless integration into Bayern Munich and his impressive impact on global football cannot be overstated. His struggles during Euro 2024, where he had yet to secure a trophy, raised doubts about his trajectory. This skepticism was compounded by the critique of his Golden Boot win at the 2018 World Cup, with some commentators dismissing it as a hollow achievement since he failed to score in the knockout rounds.
The selection of iconic players for this World Cup included the likes of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Kylian Mbappé, Lamine Yamal, and Jude Bellingham. Yet, there was Kane, finally earning his rightful spot among football’s elite. Hoeness reflected on the club’s bold decision to invest over €100 million, calling it a risky venture. “But he has repaid every cent, not just through his goal-scoring, but also as a role model within the team,” he stated.
Hoeness shared anecdotes of Kane’s supportive nature towards younger teammates, highlighting his willingness to mentor those with less experience. Despite his ongoing German lessons as part of his contract, Kane’s ability to communicate effectively is aided by the presence of several English-speaking players at Bayern, with Vincent Kompany often leading the team discussions in English. Hoeness, a World Cup champion from 1974, provided insight into the rigors Kane faces in the Bundesliga, stating, “You’d have to remove his head or arm to stop him from playing.”
Insiders note that only Manuel Neuer and a later-stage Thomas Müller have had such a profound influence in the dressing room, both regarded as Bayern legends with Müller being a product of the club itself. Initially, when Kane’s family hesitated to move to Munich full-time, some might have viewed him as another British player struggling abroad. However, Kane and his wife, Kate, have settled comfortably in a picturesque home, formerly owned by Bayern defender Lucas Hernández, located near the affluent suburb of Grünwald. Kane speaks fondly of family life, illustrating how Kate and their children—Ivy, 9, Vivienne, 7, Louis, 5, and Henry, 4—have embraced local customs, such as skiing during winter months. While Kane is unable to participate directly, he enjoys accompanying his family on trips to the Alps.
During a fan day in Kirchweidach, a quaint village near the Austrian border, Kane participated in traditional activities, including seasoning soup as part of a Bavarian wedding ritual and playing a unique version of skittles using beer steins instead of bowling balls. Displaying classic British modesty, Kane described the experience as “a bit crazy” but fully engaged with the festivities.
Bayern was aware they were acquiring a top-tier talent, but they have been taken aback by Kane’s impressive dominance and the diverse skill set he brings to the squad. After finally breaking his trophy drought with the Bundesliga title in 2025, and adding another league title and DFB-Pokal to his collection, Kane has emerged as a fitter, sharper version of himself. His spectacular goal against Atalanta in the Champions League stands out, showcasing his ability to outmaneuver defenders before finishing with precision. The goal that secured the cup final, his second in the match at the 80-minute mark, exemplifies his evolution beyond being merely a box finisher. Following a powerful curling shot that struck the bar, Kane’s quick thinking and agility allowed him to create his own chance before scoring.
With 61 goals for Bayern, Kane mirrors the extraordinary scoring prowess of legends Messi and Ronaldo, standing out as one of the few players in Europe’s top leagues achieving similar feats, alongside Erling Haaland, who was also featured in the Time photoshoot. Notably, Ronaldo once netted 66 goals in a season without a tournament, while Messi hit 73. As of Saturday’s match against New Zealand in Tampa, Kane has tallied 67 goals. At Bayern, he frequently drops back into a defensive midfield role to retrieve the ball when needed, showcasing his impressive passing range, as evidenced by his assist to Luis Díaz in the Champions League semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain. It is evident that Thomas Tuchel will maintain this strategy as they approach the World Cup.
While Kane was not included in the Ballon d’Or discussions during his time at Tottenham, his consistent presence in the later stages of the Champions League and newfound success in winning trophies have placed him in contention. However, much hinges on his performance in this World Cup. Should one draw a broader narrative about the 32-year-old’s career, it could be that this summer is leading toward a defining moment for him—a slow starter finally reaching the pinnacle of the sport. In the world of football, he embodies the tortoise rather than the hare.
Coaches from Spurs remember a young Kane, who, by elite sports standards, was slightly overweight, lacked pace, and wasn’t the most technically gifted. “You would never have imagined he would become what he is today,” one coach reflected. “But at 14, he experienced a growth spurt and began to show improvements, particularly in his striking ability. He absorbed any advice given to him with remarkable efficiency, whether it was related to gym work or finishing techniques.”
A challenging loan period at Norwich was marked by a notorious miss on his debut against West Ham and being substituted at halftime during a dismal FA Cup exit against non-league Luton in his final match for the club. In between those events, he was even relegated to the under-21s, where he was deemed unfit to take penalties. During his loan at Leicester, he found himself starting on the bench alongside Jamie Vardy for both legs of their 2013 Championship playoff semi-final against Watford.
Even at Spurs, Mauricio Pochettino did not initially see Kane’s potential after a lackluster pre-season in 2014. “We had our body fat assessment, and I was the highest on the team, around 18%,” Kane recalled. “I approached him, and he candidly informed me about my high body fat and that I wasn’t putting in the necessary effort. He was direct with me but also told me, ‘You can become the best striker in the world.'”
Pochettino, much like Hoeness, may have been employing a touch of hyperbole at the time, perhaps needing to instill confidence in a struggling young talent. However, just as with Hoeness, what seemed like embellishment has proven to be strikingly accurate.
