Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand says that Bayern Munich have let Harry Kane down as his trophy drought continues following their Champions League semi-final exit at the hands of Real Madrid on Wednesday night.
The Bavarian giants looked like they were on course to set up an all-German final with Borussia Dortmund when Alphonso Davies scored in the 68th minute. Los Blancos were however not done as substitute Joselu scored a brace in the 88th minute and added time to send the Spanish giants into their 18th European final.
All eyes were on Kane who is yet to lift a major title in his career that has been littered with goals, including the current season where he has 44 goals and 12 assists in 45 appearances in all competitions.
“He’s done his job, he’s scored the goals, he’s done what he’s paid to do,” Ferdinand told TNT Sports. “They bought him for a particular reason [and] that’s to score goals but also to continue winning trophies.
“And I have to say I think the others have let him down more than anything because he’s produced what he’s had to produce, he’s the man who comes in and scores goals and creates chances for others and he’s done that.
“Forty-plus goals this season is a ridiculous amount, the most he’s ever scored in his career. I don’t think the finger gets pointed at him, but I think he’ll have a heavy heart tonight like the others.
“But him more so maybe than anyone else because he’s come here and for the first time in 11 years they haven’t won the league.”
12 – Harry Kane was directly involved in 12 goals in the UEFA Champions League this season (8 goals, 4 assists), the most ever by an Englishman in a single edition of the competition. Silver-lining. pic.twitter.com/1cjJaDpEZw
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 8, 2024
Kane was substituted in the 85th minute and it was not long after that Joselu equalised before ultimately winning the game for Madrid. Kane’s substitution drew criticism from fans and pundits including former Bayern midfielder Owen Hargreaves.
“I tell you what was unexpected – Harry Kane going off the pitch,” he told TNT Sports as well.
“That’s one of the biggest subs I’ve ever seen in a game of football of that magnitude.
“To take off a guy who has scored 44 goals, who is the most durable player pretty much anywhere, and you bring on another striker in Choupo-Moting.
“Maybe he wanted height for corners, I don’t know. You cannot take him off.”
Tuchel however revealed after the game that Kane was injured and could not continue.
“He couldn’t keep going. He played with back pain and he couldn’t keep going, his back froze up,” the German tactician said.
Bayern Munich will be going without any piece of silverware for the first time since the 2011-12 season.
