Harry Kane Told the Three Trophies He Must Win to Become a Bayern Munich Legend
With 107 Goals and Counting, the England Captain Still Has Work to Do to Join the Bavarian Greats
When Harry Kane left Tottenham Hotspur in the summer of 2023, he didn’t just cross the Channel in search of a new challenge — he was chasing something that had long eluded him: silverware. After years of personal brilliance but collective frustration in North London, the England captain packed his bags for Bayern Munich, a club synonymous with success.
And while he’s already broken records and scored over 100 goals for the German giants, not everyone in Munich is ready to anoint him a club “legend” just yet. Former Bayern midfielder Mario Basler, never one to mince words, believes Kane still has a few boxes to tick before he can be mentioned in the same breath as Gerd Muller, Robert Lewandowski, or Franck Ribéry.
The Trophy Curse Is Over, But the Job Isn’t Done
For years, Kane’s career was defined by one glaring omission — no trophies. Despite being Tottenham’s all-time leading scorer and one of the Premier League’s greatest ever strikers, his cabinet remained painfully empty. So when Bayern came calling, it felt like the perfect marriage: a world-class forward joining a club that wins everything in sight.
And true to form, it didn’t take long for that “trophy curse” to be lifted. In his very first season in Germany, Kane helped Bayern reclaim the Bundesliga title, adding a long-awaited winner’s medal to his résumé. The following campaign began in equally strong fashion with a DFL-Supercup triumph and another blistering start to the league season — nine wins from nine.
Yet, for all his goals, for all his consistency, Basler insists that Kane still has to prove something more. Scoring 107 goals in less than three seasons is extraordinary — but Bayern’s definition of “legend” extends far beyond statistics.
“He’s Not a Legend Yet” – Basler’s Challenge to Kane

Harry Kane Bundesliga trophy Bayern Munich 2024-25
Speaking to GOAL in association with LeoVegas DE, Mario Basler laid out the challenge plainly.
“I believe Harry Kane is a top player and has been for years,” Basler said. “But to achieve legendary status, you have to win titles — big titles. He’s won his first with the Bundesliga, and that’s important. But for a Bayern legend? It’s not enough.”
Basler, who knows a thing or two about the weight of expectation in Bavaria, pointed to three specific trophies Kane must lift to reach true legendary status:
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The UEFA Champions League
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Another Bundesliga title
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The DFB-Pokal (German Cup)
“If he wins the Champions League, wins the Bundesliga again, and maybe the DFB-Pokal, then we can talk,” Basler continued. “But for now, he still needs quite a few titles before 2029. If he’s still here by then, if he keeps scoring and winning, then yes — maybe he’ll be a Bayern legend.”
Basler’s comments might sound harsh, but they reflect Bayern’s culture. At a club that has produced icons like Beckenbauer, Muller, Lahm, and Neuer, winning is not optional — it’s expected.
Champions League Glory: The Missing Jewel
For Kane, the Champions League remains the holy grail. It’s the trophy he came to Bayern to win — the one that slipped through his fingers at Tottenham in 2019 when Spurs lost to Liverpool in the final.
Bayern last lifted Europe’s biggest prize in 2020 under Hansi Flick, and the club’s hierarchy have made it clear that a return to continental dominance is the ultimate goal. Kane’s arrival was meant to bridge that gap — a proven finisher to complement Bayern’s attacking riches and bring them back to the summit of European football.
If he does it, he’ll write his name into Bayern folklore. Few things define a Bayern “legend” more than delivering the Champions League trophy. Think of Lewandowski in 2020, Robben and Ribéry in 2013, or Oliver Kahn in 2001 — each etched their legacy with European glory.
Should Kane lead Bayern to that same triumph, Basler’s bar might suddenly look a lot easier to reach.
A Contract to 2027 — But What Comes Next?
Kane’s current contract runs until 2027, and Bayern have already hinted at their desire to extend it. Yet, speculation around his future has never completely gone away.
There are whispers of release clauses — reportedly around £57 million ($75m) — that could be triggered in 2026. There’s also talk of interest from Spain, and even a potential late-career move to MLS.
Still, at 32, Kane doesn’t seem to be in any rush to look elsewhere. He’s settled in Munich, his family is happy, and the football suits him perfectly. He’s the heartbeat of a side that’s once again playing free-flowing, ruthless football — a perfect platform to chase down Basler’s challenge.
“Why Would He Leave?” – Danny Murphy’s Perspective
Former Tottenham and England midfielder Danny Murphy also weighed in on Kane’s situation in an interview with , urging the striker to stay put.
“I wouldn’t rule out him moving again one day,” Murphy admitted. “But right now? No chance. He’s playing brilliantly, he looks fitter than ever, and Bayern are serious contenders for the Champions League. Why would you walk away from that?”
Murphy added that at Kane’s age, long-term planning becomes trickier.
“When you get older, you stop thinking too far ahead. The body changes, recovery gets harder. But if I had any influence on him, I’d tell him to stay where he is. He’s playing some of the best football of his career.”
It’s a sentiment that most Bayern fans would agree with. Kane is not just scoring goals — he’s scoring important goals, decisive goals, the kind that win titles.
A Legend in the Making — Or Just a Short-Term Star?
Basler’s comments about the striker’s longevity are worth noting.
“I don’t think it will be enough for a legend at Bayern in the end,” he said. “He might only be here for two to four years as a player.”
Longevity matters at Bayern. The club’s legends aren’t just players who shone brightly for a few seasons — they’re the ones who left a lasting mark. Thomas Muller, for instance, has been at the club for over 15 years, embodying its spirit on and off the pitch.
If Kane stays through 2029, continues scoring at his current rate, and adds European and domestic cups to his tally, the “short-term” argument will lose all relevance. But if he moves on before achieving that, history may remember him as a great player — but not a Bayern legend.
The Kane Standard
Even without legendary status, Kane’s achievements in Munich have already been remarkable. His goal tally is staggering — 107 in all competitions, a return that has smashed previous club records for early impact. He’s also adapted seamlessly to a new country, a new league, and a new tactical system.
He’s transformed Bayern’s attack, forming a devastating partnership with Jamal Musiala and Leroy Sané, while continuing to lead England as captain. Few players in world football combine his consistency, professionalism, and leadership.
Yet, in the context of Bayern Munich, those traits alone don’t guarantee immortality. As Basler said — this is a club where the bar for greatness is impossibly high.

Harry Kane Bayern Munich 2025-26
What Defines a Bayern Munich Legend?
To understand why Basler is holding Kane to such standards, one must look at the club’s history. A Bayern legend is not just a prolific scorer or a big-name signing; it’s someone who wins everything, often multiple times.
Gerd Muller wasn’t just a goalscorer — he was a European Cup winner.
Philipp Lahm wasn’t just a captain — he lifted every trophy there is to win.
Manuel Neuer didn’t just make saves — he redefined the role of a goalkeeper.
That’s the level Kane must aspire to. And to his credit, everything about his demeanor suggests he understands that.
The Road Ahead
Bayern’s 2025–26 season is shaping up to be pivotal for Kane. The team looks sharp, the goals are flowing, and there’s a sense of unfinished business in Europe. If he can guide Bayern to the Champions League, repeat the Bundesliga triumph, and perhaps add the DFB-Pokal, he’ll silence any remaining doubts.
He doesn’t need to replicate Muller or Lewandowski — he just needs to be Harry Kane, the Englishman who came to Bavaria and conquered Europe.
If he does that, Mario Basler and the Bayern faithful will have no choice but to welcome him into the pantheon of greats.
Final Thoughts
Harry Kane’s story at Bayern Munich is still being written. He’s already achieved what many thought he never would — ending his trophy drought and proving he can thrive outside England. But the journey toward becoming a Bayern Munich legend is about more than numbers.
It’s about moments — lifting the Champions League under the lights of Wembley or Madrid, scoring the winning goal in a Pokal final, or leading Bayern to another era of dominance.
For now, Kane is a superstar. To become a legend, he needs those moments.
Basler’s challenge stands: Bundesliga. DFB-Pokal. Champions League.
Three trophies. One legacy.
























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