Harry Kane or Robert Lewandowski? Bayern chief reveals differences between two strikers ahead of Champions League showdown with Barcelona

Lewandowski's eight-year tenure with Bayern was filled with success as he consistently delivered goals season after season, cementing his status as one of their greatest players. During his time in Bavaria, he won eight Bundesliga titles, four DFB Pokals, and the prestigious UEFA Champions League in 2020. Kane had the challenging task of sliding into his boots after making a €100 million (£86m/$110m) transfer from Tottenham. While the English striker is yet to lift any silverware with the club, his goal-scoring ability has thrilled fans and earned him hero status among the Bayern faithful.

In an interview with DAZN, Rummenigge compared the two greats and said: "Both are very successful and yet they are very different. Robert joined us on a free transfer in 2014. That was a coup that helped us unbelievably because it brought a goal-scoring machine into our team that was second to none. Robert was a super important player on the pitch and a good guy off it. I have rarely experienced players with whom you could have such authentic, honest and high-quality discussions. He was also an important advisor to me in many situations when things got tough.

"We are happy that we have Harry Kane at FC Bayern. It's not by chance that you score 36 goals in a season that ultimately was not successful from FC Bayern's point of view. Goal-scorers live from their goals, otherwise, they are not happy."

Lewandowski's immense contribution brought effusive praise from Rummenigge, who hailed the Polish striker as a "goal machine" and an invaluable player both on and off the pitch.

"There are a few transfers that were essential for the club," he began.

"One of them was the transfer of Robert Lewandowski. He’s a goal machine and a really good guy. I’ve never seen a more honest player than him. I could talk to him about anything. He always gave me an honest answer - and not one that was pre-fabricated or to his advantage. You have to understand that this is not quite usual, because my job was to promote the good of the club and not just his good. Ultimately, Robert was an incredibly important advisor to me. You can discuss football with him at an immensely high level, and he is also extremely clever."

Kane's goal-per-minute ratio in the Bundesliga is particularly impressive. He has scored every 78 minutes on average, surpassing Lewandowski’s record of a goal every 89 minutes during his Bayern career, and has amassed 57 goals in 55 games in all competitions in his brief tenure in Germany.

As Bayern and Barcelona prepare to face off in Spain, all eyes will be on the two greatest strikers of the generation. Kane and Lewandowski, both known for their lethal finishing, will face off for the first time since the Polish forward's departure from Bayern. The last time these two faced each other was in 2019, with Lewandowski having the last laugh as Bayern ran riot against Tottenham, winning 7-2 in a Champions League encounter.