Kane's 73 goals put him in Messi‑Ronaldo sphere, Bayern seeks title
Harry Kane, the 33‑year‑old striker of FC Bayern Munich, scored 73 goals for the club and England's national team in the past season – a figure he himself called ridiculous, saying: “I always found these numbers ridiculous” and placing himself in the realms of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
As one of the hottest contenders for the Ballon d’Or, Kane now stands alongside players like Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, a comparison that still amazes him.
Historical Context of Goal Numbers
The 73 goals in a single season are remarkable in a historical context; only Lionel Messi surpassed this mark in 2011/12 with 82 goals for FC Barcelona and Argentina, while Cristiano Ronaldo recorded 69 goals for Real Madrid and Portugal.
Thus, the figure of 73 goals is a rare occurrence, surpassed only by these two exceptional players.
“I grew up watching Messi and Ronaldo, that era where they simply dominated,” Kane explained. “I always thought the numbers were just ridiculous – which they indeed are.”
Former English Ballon d’Or winner Michael Owen said he hopes Kane “will join our small exclusive club”. Kane, a big England fan, replied proudly that he used to watch Owen as a player and now finds himself in the spotlight.
Kane's Goals and Bayern's European Prospects
In 2023 the 33‑year‑old moved from Tottenham Hotspur to FC Bayern Munich, without having won a trophy beforehand, and further developed his game. Since then he has won the German championship twice, the DFB‑Cup once, and claimed the Golden Shoe in 2024 and 2026 as Europe's top scorer.
The benchmark of his seasonal performance is unparalleled, and he continues to see himself as part of the most successful players of his generation.
At the European level Bayern most recently reached the Champions League semi‑final, but lost the final in 2020 and has missed the title since, with the team being eliminated in the last three years by PSG, Real Madrid and Inter Milan respectively.
The Ballon d’Or will be awarded at the end of October, and 30 candidates, including Kylian Mbappé, Rodri and Lionel Messi, are already confirmed. Kane remains optimistic that his impressive season will secure him a place in the exclusive circle of world footballers.