If Harry Kane is to win the Champions League with Bayern Munich and claim the first trophy of his career. So he has to outplay Real Madrid and England teammate Jude Bellingham.
If Harry Kane is to win the Champions League with Bayern Munich and claim the first trophy of his career. So he has to outplay Real Madrid and England teammate Jude Bellingham. The first leg of the semi-final on Tuesday in the Bavarian capital will pit England’s two superstars against each other. Euro 2024 will kick off at the same venue less than two months from now. A decade apart in age, the two have taken very different paths in their careers thus far. But have become crucial to their respective European giants since joining in the summer.
Kane Harry has been the only light this season. Who is constantly shining in Bayern’s team.
Less than a year after leaving Germany, Bellingham has established himself alongside Kane and a handful of others as members of the footballing elite.
And when they try to join the forces in the summer. They will battle it out on Tuesday at Wembley – England’s national stadium and a place in this season’s Champions League final.
‘I hope he’s quiet’
Despite an impressive individual career after coming through the youth academy at Tottenham, the 30-year-old Kane moved to Bayern in August. That left England to win the first team trophy.
Long underestimated. Kane has erased any doubts about his quality among Europe’s elite at Bayern this season.
While Xabi Alonso’s unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen may have already won the Bundesliga. Kane’s 42 goals in all competitions this season is already the most he has scored in a campaign.
Bellingham, on the other hand, was a teenage prodigy. And moved to Borussia Dortmund from hometown club Birmingham in 2020.
The 30 million euro ($31.17 million) fee made the 17-year-old the most expensive ever. Just three years later, he moved from Dortmund to Madrid for €103 million.
Although Bellingham’s quality was evident by the time he left Germany. But few would have expected him to emerge as one of the best players in the world so quickly.
Bellingham has led an injury-plagued Madrid through difficult parts of the season. And has kept them on course for the league title with key goals, including late winners in both La Liga Clasico fixtures. HD Live Sports
After scoring a brace in Saturday’s 2-1 home win against Eintracht Frankfurt. Kane said he hopes Bellingham takes a night off Tuesday.
“He’s a great player, as I’ve said before,” Kane told reporters.
“Of course, he has had an amazing season himself. But from my point of view, I expect him to be quiet in the next couple of matches.”
Kane and Bellingham were “keeping it professional” and did not speak before Tuesday’s match. But “will catch up before the game and after the game”.
‘A good moment’
Kane and Bellingham have never faced each other before. But played each other 22 times, losing only four matches.
Both have established an on-field partnership. Bellingham had three assists for Kane at international level.
When Kane missed a late penalty against France in the 2022 World Cup quarter-finals. So Bellingham was the first person to console the England captain.
At just 19 years of age, Bellingham became the Bundesliga’s youngest ever captain. When he was given the armband for Dortmund last season.
The midfielder is widely expected to take over the England captaincy. Whenever Ken has decided to pick up the shoes.
But while they both represent the present and future of the Three Lions, only one will go to Wembley.
Kane said he would “hopefully score a few goals” against Madrid.
“I’m confident I’m in a good moment and I can put some away,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to the atmosphere — the atmosphere against Arsenal (in the quarter-final) was incredible.
I am expecting it’ll go another level up and I’m quite excited.”