Harry Kane, the Bayern Munich and England striker, was awarded the European Golden Shoe for being the highest goalscorer in a European football league at a ceremony held in Munich on Tuesday.
Kane netted 36 goals during the previous Bundesliga season, surpassing all other players across Europe. Despite being the Premier League’s top scorer three times, Kane had never previously won this award.
“It’s a fantastic feeling,” Kane said. “The award is for everyone. Without you, I wouldn’t be standing here today. I feel good and am looking forward to the new season. I feel a new energy. I’m very proud to receive this award.”
This accolade adds to Kane’s extensive list of individual honors. However, he has yet to secure a team title in his career. Kane’s debut season in Munich concluded without trophies, marking the first time Bayern Munich had finished a season without silverware since 2012.
“I want to continue on as I started last season, but it is important to win titles. We want to achieve success as a team,” Kane told reporters.
Kane’s 36 goals in 32 appearances for Bayern are just five short of the single-season record of 41 goals held by former Bayern striker Robert Lewandowski.
Bayern CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen presented the award to Kane and commended his character since joining the club a season ago. The Golden Shoe, introduced in the 1967-68 season, was originally awarded to the top scorer in any European league but has been based on a ranking system favoring players in higher-ranked leagues since 1997.
Lionel Messi holds the record with six wins, and the award has also been claimed by Cristiano Ronaldo and Erling Haaland. “It is something special that I am now mentioned in the same breath as these names,” Kane remarked.
