Harry Kane returned to the Metropolitano seven years after losing the Champions League final there with Tottenham. Ahead of Bayern’s match against Atlético Madrid, the 33-year-old said the stadium brought back difficult memories but hoped to replace them by winning the game and, if possible, lifting the trophy there next year.
Kane, who received the Ballon d’Or the previous week, was asked whether he would give up the individual award for a Champions League title. He said he would, explaining that footballers play for collective honours and that celebrating the trophy with his Bayern teammates would be an extraordinary feeling.
The article presents Kane as a striker whose contribution extends beyond scoring. He often drops into midfield to help build attacks, a trait he said he has had since his youth career. He added that he continued to do so during a season in which he scored 61 goals in 51 matches, and said the Ballon d’Or recognition showed there are different ways to be a goalscorer.
Atlético coach Diego Simeone praised Kane’s ability to find useful positions while remaining close to goal. He also highlighted the striker’s commitment to helping his team move forward from deeper areas.
The report links Kane’s style to ideas Pep Guardiola brought to Bayern, arguing that the club took years to move beyond a more traditional centre-forward model. Bayern signed Kane in 2023, after Guardiola had left for Manchester City. The article says Kane’s leadership and all-round play have since helped the team reach a new level.
Kane recalled that José Mourinho encouraged him to leave Tottenham and seek a greater chance to compete for the Champions League. He said Mourinho had given him the freedom to drop deep and play the ball out from defence, and that joining Bayern had brought teammates and an environment that helped him take on major challenges.
The article also says Guardiola had previously tried to bring Kane to Manchester City, while Carlo Ancelotti and his son Davide urged Real Madrid to sign him as Karim Benzema’s replacement. That move did not happen. Kane instead joined Bayern, where he now returns to the Metropolitano hoping to turn a stadium associated with defeat into the setting for a future triumph.
Sources: El País Deportes.