Kane to miss Bayern's title winning game

Harry Kane continues to set goal-scoring records wherever he plays. Whether with the England national team, Tottenham Hotspur, or Bayern Munich, the 31-year-old has built a reputation as an indestructible goal-scoring machine.

Yet a tragic note shadows his career: despite over 16 years and 500 professional matches, he has not won a major trophy.

Robin Zentner(L), goalkeeper of Mainz, saves the ball from Harry Kane of Bayern Munich during the German first division Bundesliga football match between Bayern Munich and FSV Mainz 05 in Munich, Germany, March 9, 2024. (Photo by Philippe Ruiz/Xinhua)

Determined to avoid becoming football's "nearly man," Kane joined German champions Bayern Munich last summer.

With Bayern eliminated from the UEFA Champions League and German Cup, only the Bundesliga title and 2025 FIFA Club World Cup remain.

The Bavarians hold an eight-point lead with three matches left, making the league title likely. However, Kane's progress hit a snag as he received his fifth yellow card of the season, resulting in a one-game suspension under Bundesliga rules. He was booked for holding on to the ball in the first half of Bayern's 3-0 win over Mainz on Saturday.

"It might be part of my story to miss the game in Leipzig," Kane said, but vowed: "If we do it, I will be celebrating more than any other."

"He was visibly annoyed in the locker room," teammate Thomas Muller revealed.

Kane called for rule changes, stating: "It's crazy I am banned in a game like that because I saw my first yellow card in the first season game. German rules should be changed to the Premier League's procedures."

Muller criticized the referee's "lack of sensitivity," while media noted Kane should have been aware of the rules.

Kane disagreed: "This was far from a yellow card," he said, adding: "Several people come to our arena to attract attention."

Referee commissioner Marco Fritz defended the decision as "100 percent supported by the rules," acknowledging the challenge of balancing strict enforcement with discretion.

Despite the setback, Kane could lift the Bundesliga trophy when Bayern hosts Borussia Moenchengladbach on May 10.

"It's a bittersweet moment for Harry and all of us, but lifting the trophy might be a pleasant healer," Muller said.

If Bayern secures the title this weekend, Kane will join his teammates on the Munich pitch to celebrate.