Harry Kane's Ballon d'Or win lands him on Bayern bench Wednesday
Harry Kane, still processing his Ballon d'Or triumph, was spotted on the bench during Bayern Munich's second‑round Cup match against Magdeburg on Wednesday at the Allianz Arena. Less than an hour into the game, a pocket of fans had already moved on from Michael Olise's brace.
The supporters in one corner of the stadium began chanting "Ha‑rry! Ha‑rry!" as they turned their attention to the group of substitutes warming up behind the opponent's goal, focusing on one particular figure. Their cheers highlighted the unusual sight of the English striker in a casual mid‑week fixture.
Bayern's relative strength meant the coaching staff had hoped to give Kane the night off, especially with a Dortmund clash looming this weekend and a Champions League trip to Atletico Madrid on Tuesday. Nevertheless, a pre‑match guard of honour from his teammates underscored the significance of the occasion.
Ballon d'Or milestone for Kane
Kane became the first Englishman to win the individual accolade in twenty‑five years and the first Bundesliga player to do so since Matthias Sammer in 1996. Bayern wrapped up the match with a swift 6‑1 victory, and an after‑party that ran until around 11 p.m. local time. Kane later admitted he "didn't party too hard" and was "straight back to work" the next day.
He trained on Tuesday and would have been ready to play if called upon on Wednesday, and he is expected to prepare as usual for Saturday's clash with Dortmund. Kane has repeatedly said his goal every four years is to win the World Cup with England, not to chase personal trophies.
Ballon d’Or for Kane and its signalling impact on the Bundesliga
Kane's mixed emotions
"It's strange," Kane said. "It's not my normal thing to enjoy. Even the guys, when I was walking out to warm up and they're all there clapping, I get quite embarrassed, but I know this is a big deal." He added that messages from friends, family, coaches and fans have been overwhelming.
In his hometown on Monday, surrounded by loved ones and teammates chanting his name, Kane felt out of place despite the celebration. He described the experience as "a lot of nerves and different emotions compared to a football match".
Back to routine after triumph
Kane joked about a gold‑flaked schnitzel delivered to his home, saying, "I didn't actually eat it yesterday. With the match being today, I have a routine of what I eat and now I appreciate it." He emphasised that returning to football felt like a return to normality.
Bayern press on in German Cup while Kane watches from bench
"It feels like the Freiburg game was six weeks ago," he reflected, noting that the past 48 hours had been a whirlwind. "It's nice just to be back, seeing the fans, getting a reception before the game, and watching the boys play again."