After over a decade of chasing silverware, Harry Kane has finally claimed the first major title of his professional career. Although the Bundesliga crown is a significant achievement, there’s a small catch—it’s not technically a cup, and Kane’s pursuit of a traditional trophy still goes on.
Bundesliga Meisterschale. The Bundesliga Meisterschale (championship shield) is awarded to the German champions at the end of the season.
Bundesliga Secured Without Kane on the Pitch
Bayern Munich were crowned 33rd German champions winning 33rd Bundesliga Title with a 3-3 draw against RB Leipzig on Saturday and a 2-2 draw between Bayer Leverkusen and Freiburg on Sunday, The absence of Kane, injured for the game against Leipzig, was a mere technicality, as celebrations went on with everyone.
The German champions were sure to need only a point from their final three matches after sitting on a cushion of eight points going into the weekend. In the absence of Kane, it was his all-around season that proved critical to Bayern's triumphs under first-time manager Vincent Kompany.
The England Captain's Long-Awaited First Trophy
Once Kane left Tottenham Hotspur for Bayern Munich in a transfer the world was abuzz about, he set his sights mainly on one thing: finally ending his trophy drought. By the end of the 2022 season, Kane hadn’t really bagged a trophy, though he impressed in the last campaign. But this year, the stars aligned.
One of the most talked-about player stories had been his trophyless run. While collecting individual awards such as Premier League Golden Boots and even a World Cup Golden Boot, Kane had never yet run into his name alongside those who have team silverware—until now.
A Title, Not a Cup—What’s the Difference?
Despite finally lifting a major trophy, Kane's wait for a traditional cup continues. The Bundesliga title is symbolized by a large silver shield—known as the "Meisterschale"—not an actual cup. As some fans pointed out, it’s a title, but technically not a "cup" win.
This distinction may seem minor, but for a player like Kane, who has endured near misses in the Premier League, Champions League, and with the England national team, hoisting a cup—like the DFB-Pokal or Champions League—remains a dream unfulfilled.
"I've done a lot of things I've wanted to do in my career so far. Of course, I know the team trophy is the one that everyone will refer back to," Kane told ESPN.
"I looked at the greats of the game and what made them great, and it wasn't just doing it in spells: it was doing it year after year," Kane said.
From Premier League Golden Boots to Bundesliga Glory
A career lined with individual brilliance, having been the Premier League top scorer in 2015/16 (25 goals), 2016/17 (29 goals), and 2020/21 (23 goals), according to Transfermarkt. He was also the top goal scorer at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
In his debut campaign in the Bundesliga last season, Kane hit 36 goals and won the Golden Boot once more. On the tracks to win it again this year, the Englishman is now cementing his stature as amongst the very best and most consistent finishers in the world.
Close Calls and Heartbreaks Before Breaking Through
Throughout his Kane-Tottenham days, his was a story of what-ifs. Spurs came close to winning the Premier League in 2016 and 2017, finishing third and second respectively. Their fairy tale run to the 2019 UEFA Champions League final was cruelly ended by Liverpool. Likewise, Kane was on the losing end in the Euro 2020 final with England as they were blown out in a penalty shootout against Italy.
Now with a trophy under his belt after all those near-misses and personal accolades, the footballing world knows Kane is still hungry.
Still Chasing the Cup Dream
Though Kane can proudly call himself a league champion, the thirst for a cup victory remains. The Bundesliga shield is a prestigious honor, but fans and critics alike point out the lack of a traditional trophy lift.
The 2025/26 season will bring new opportunities for Kane to chase a more conventional cup—whether it's the DFB-Pokal or the Champions League. And knowing his relentless drive, he’ll be hungrier than ever.