Kane finally ends trophy drought as Bayern clinches Bundesliga title

by Oliver Trust

BERLIN, May 4 (Xinhua) -- "Sofa-Meister" - or "Couch Champion" - may have been a new phrase in Harry Kane's German vocabulary this week, but it now defines the long-awaited first major title of his career.

The term refers to a team clinching a championship while off the pitch, waiting for a rival to slip. That was the case on Sunday evening, as Bayern Munich players, including England captain Kane, gathered at Kafer, a high-end restaurant in the affluent Munich district of Bogenhausen, to watch Bayer Leverkusen face Freiburg.

Leverkusen's 2-2 draw sealed Bayern's 34th Bundesliga title, handing Kane his first piece of silverware after 16 years in professional football.

It was a bittersweet scenario for many players - particularly Kane, who would have preferred to secure the title on the pitch. The 31-year-old missed Saturday's 3-3 draw against RB Leipzig due to an accumulation of yellow cards, forced to watch from the stands. Just before full time, he came down to the sideline to join his teammates for what he hoped would be a title celebration, only to witness Leipzig's last-minute equalizer.

"Harry, just one more week," teammate Thomas Muller said to console him. Muller, 35, secured his 13th Bundesliga crown.

For Kane, the championship ends a painful run of near-misses. Six major final defeats with Tottenham Hotspur and England made him one of the most accomplished players never to win a trophy - until now.

Kane's contribution to Bayern's success has been immense. After scoring 36 goals and providing 10 assists in his debut Bundesliga season, he has followed up with 24 goals and 11 assists in the current campaign from just 29 appearances. Beyond the stats, he has emerged as a leader in the dressing room and a focal point of Bayern's attack.

Following confirmation of the title, social media showed Kane posting a trophy emoji, while video clips circulated of the Bayern squad celebrating with chants of "We are the Champions" and singing England's football anthem "Sweet Caroline." Photos later showed Kane embracing his teammates as years of frustration gave way to jubilation.

Bayern will officially lift the Meisterschale trophy next Saturday at home against Borussia Monchengladbach. For Kane, it will mark the symbolic end of a long wait - and the beginning of a decorated chapter in Munich. ■