Harry Kane eclipses Cristiano Ronaldo AND Lionel Messi with storming start to 2025-26 as Bayern Munich star bags another goal against Club Brugge

According to Opta, Kane’s 14th-minute strike in the emphatic victory against Brugge meant that he had reached 20 goals in a domestic season quicker than either of the two men often regarded as the best of all time, and without doubt viewed as the best of this generation.

But Ronaldo’s best record at the start of a season was 20 goals in 13 games in 2014-15, while Messi never reached 20 strikes in fewer than 17 games – achieving 17 three times.

This only goes to further demonstrate the sheer levels of greatness at which Kane is operating so far in 2025-26, as he begins to stake an early claim to be in the running for the Ballon d’Or in 2026 – though he will most likely need to lead England to winning the World Cup in order to get his hands on the prestigious individual award.

Manager Vincent Kompany lauded Kane’s start to the season after he bagged his 19th goal of the campaign in Der Klassiker against Borussia Dortmund last weekend, making the comparison with two of the greatest ever to play the game.

“Harry Kane can of course still improve, even though he has been more than brilliant so far for us," said the Belgian. "I think [Lionel] Messi and [Cristiano] Ronaldo have set the bar so high that you feel like scoring in the manner Kane is scoring right now should be normal, but what he is doing is really outstanding. He worked so hard for the team tonight and was once again very important for us.

"We like that all experts are asking themselves 'who was our striker tonight? Who was the attacking midfielder? Who was the playmaker?' - That is how we know we have a fluent attack and that we’re doing it right," he explained.

He continued: "I can't teach Harry Kane how to head the ball the way he does it. Some things you can't teach - the feeling for the area, for example. He just does it so well.”

Kane told Sky Sports Germany after the result against Dortmund: "Of course, I'm still there to score goals and help the team. But I also dropped a little deeper with the ball, defended my own penalty area without the ball, and picked up second balls to find my team-mates behind the opposing line with long balls. There were a lot of good things there, and I feel good physically."

He added: "I'm confident about my game overall. I always look forward to a match - knowing how we want to play and how we work together. There's a special bond within the team. Everyone always gives their all. And that's a valuable asset."

Kane’s form so far this season has been nothing short of exemplary. We thought we had already seen the very best the England captain has to offer, but then he reaches a whole new level that was not deemed possible.

The 32-year-old struck 44 goals in 45 games in his first season for Bayern, a record which is already looking easily accessible as he closes in on half of that total before we have even reached November. There is every chance at this stage that the 2025-26 season becomes the crowning one of Kane’s career, if he continues to shine as much as he is currently. 

Bayern look imperious in the Champions League, having won three out of three with a goal difference of +10, while the Bundesliga title already looks like a procession as the champions are five points clear, having already beaten second-placed RB Leipzig 6-0. Then, of course, comes the small matter of the World Cup in North America next summer.

Kane recently reached the landmark of 400 club career goals. He said of the achievement on social media: "So proud to have reached 400 club goals! Too many people and team-mates to thank who have helped me get to that number but couldn’t have done it without everyone along the way. More to come!!"