Harry Kane gave his armband away before the trophy lift
Harry Kane declined to lift the trophy following Bayern Munich’s 3-2 victory over his former club Tottenham Hotspur in the Visit Malta Cup.
This gesture came after Kane's first return to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium since his move to Bayern Munich last summer.
The England captain, who has yet to secure a major trophy in his illustrious career, was met with a standing ovation from Spurs fans as he came off the bench during the pre-season friendly.
Despite playing a pivotal role in Bayern's win, Kane's refusal to raise the trophy has sparked discussions about his respect and affection for his previous club.
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Kane, who scored 280 goals for Tottenham and is their all-time leading scorer, was visibly moved by the warm reception he received.
The striker's decision to forgo lifting the trophy appeared to be a deliberate act of respect towards Spurs and their supporters.
Camera footage captured Kane shaking his head and mouthing ‘no’ as Joshua Kimmich, Bayern’s captain, extended the armband to him after the final whistle.
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The gesture highlights Kane’s complex emotions surrounding his departure from Tottenham.
In his post-match comments, Kane spoke about the emotional experience of returning to his old stomping ground. “I am so used to coming here as the home player, so it was strange being in the away dressing room,” Kane said. “I had an amazing career at Spurs, so many great memories, and it’s just great to see the fans again.”
Despite his move to Bayern, where he has quickly established himself, Kane’s attachment to Tottenham remains strong.
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Before the match, Kane was honored with a special commemorative gift from fellow club legend Ledley King, alongside former Spurs teammate Eric Dier, who also joined Bayern Munich.
Bayern Munich’s victory in the Visit Malta Cup came after they had to come from behind. Tottenham's Dejan Kulusevski initially gave the hosts the lead, but Bayern fought back with goals from Dayot Upamecano, Serge Gnabry, and Thomas Muller.
Kulusevski added a second for Spurs, but it wasn’t enough to deny Kane and his new team the win.
Kane’s choice to skip the trophy lift not only underscores his enduring connection with Tottenham but also demonstrates his sportsmanship and respect for the club that played a central role in his career.