Harry Kane succeeds where Cristiano Ronaldo failed in earning love & respect - but ‘sweet spot’ found at Bayern Munich when it comes to criticism of 80-goal striker

The exploits of Portuguese superstar Ronaldo at Santiago Bernabeu mean that he will forever be lauded as a Blancos legend - with the five-time Ballon d’Or winner becoming Madrid's all-time leading scorer.

It is, however, being suggested that he was never truly taken to the hearts of Madridistas. In contrast, England captain Kane won over supporters in Germany from the moment that he arrived at the Allianz Arena from Tottenham in 2023.

Kane has registered 80 goals and 24 assists for Bayern through 89 appearances. He is closing in on back-to-back Golden Boots and the Bundesliga title - which will bring his much–publicised trophy drought to a close.

European football journalist Andy Brassell has told talkSPORT of Kane’s exploits in Bavaria: “We've talked about this before, haven't we? In terms of Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid, someone who was respected more than he was loved even though he [recorded] a goal a game for nine seasons. And obviously [Robert] Lewandowski's goal record is enviable, uncatchable, unmatchable - all of those things.

“This is the guy who in 2021 broke Gerd Muller's [39-year record for scoring 40 in a season] that no one was ever going to break. [The record] funnily enough was what Kane threatened to break in his first season before he picked up a little injury. But that's a different story."

Brassell added, with Kane only now attracting criticism after picking up a booking that will rule him out of Bayern’s clash with RB Leipzig on Saturday - a game which could see their coronation as Bundesliga kings confirmed: “But everything that Kane is - the fact that he wasn't just another good player coming to Bayern, but he was the England captain choosing to come to Bayern.

“It was a massive, massive deal. And it still is a massive, massive deal. So I think you've often wondered what it would take German football society and Bayern followers to criticise him. Well, we’ve finally found that sweet spot - it's when he gets himself booked so he can't play in the title game.”

Kane has aired his disappointment at being forced out of a fixture that could end his barren run on the silverware front, but the 31-year-old is relieved to be in a position where the long-running debate regarding his lack of tangible success can finally be laid to rest.