Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane rejects trophy win on Tottenham return

Harry Kane received a standing ovation on his return to Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday but refused to lift the trophy that Bayern Munich won after beating Tottenham in a pre-season friendly.

Kane, Tottenham’s all-time leading scorer, joined Bayern last summer on a four-year contract in a deal worth more than €100 million ($110m). He started on the bench against his former club but came on for the final 10 minutes as Bayern led 3-2, a scoreline they held on to win the Visit Malta Cup.

He accepted the captain’s armband when he eventually took to the field, but handed it over before the trophy presentation, deciding not to hold the award aloft in front of his former teammates and fans.

The England captain, who helped England reach the final of Euro 2024, said he only returned to training on Friday and “probably shouldn’t have played”, adding that he “would always play 10 minutes and that was fine”.

“Last year everything was very rushed so we didn’t have a chance (to say goodbye), but it was a great way to thank them all,” said Kane, who took a lap of honour at the end of the race.

“The reception I got was amazing and it was great to clap them on the pitch afterwards, those who stayed behind, and I will always be grateful to every Spurs fan for the support they have given me throughout my career. It has been incredible.

“I appreciate them seeing me again and me seeing them again.”

Kane and his Bayern teammate Eric Dier, who played alongside Kane during his decade at Tottenham, both received special trophies from former Spurs captain Ledley King on behalf of the club after the match.

Tottenham took the lead in the opening minute through Dejan Kulusevski, before goals from Dayot Upamecano, Serge Gnabry and Thomas Müller put Bayern in control at half-time. Kulusevski added a second in the 61st minute, but the Premier League side could not find an equaliser.