Harry Kane finally won a trophy at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – but he showed his class and loyalty to Spurs in refusing to lift it.
The 31-year-old returned to his former stomping ground in north London on Saturday where he was part of the Bayern Munich side that won the Visit Malta Cup.
After 14 trophy-less years spent with Spurs, he picked up a pre-season piece of silverware after helping his side win 3-2.
Kane came off the bench in the second half where he was given the captain armband’s on his Tottenham return – a year after he departed in a deal worth more than £100million.
He came close to getting on the score sheet – firing narrowly over the bar – with first-half goals from Dayot Upamecano, Serge Gnabry and Thomas Muller proving to be the difference.
And he had the chance to lift the trophy on the pitch following the five-goal thriller – but decided against doing so to once again show why he is so loved by Spurs fans.
He was caught on camera removing his armband, while shaking his head towards Joshua Kimmich, insisting he couldn’t possibly do so out of his love for the Premier League side.
As a result, Bayern’s usual skipper Manuel Neuer hoisted aloft the trophy, with Kane seen clapping during the presentation.
Though he did get his hands on some form of silverware – along with Eric Dier – who followed Kane to Bavaria in January.
The duo were presented with special commemorative gifts by fellow Spurs icon Ledley King in a ceremony prior to the kick-off.
Both men were treated to a rapturous applause from the home faithful, with Spurs’ all-time top scorer Kane soaking in the atmosphere.
But it was his wholesome decision to turn down lifting the trophy that sent social media into meltdown.
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One Spurs supporter posted: “Big respect to him, he knows it’s wrong at our ground plus he knows what he will get on social media for lifting a friendly trophy.”
Another posted: “Loyalty is rare in football nowadays fairs to Kane.”
A third added: “This is nothing but total class and respect from a legend of our club and a legend of a man.”
Harry Kane, who was captain of Bayern Munich, refused to lift the pre-season trophy against his former club Tottenham today
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This fan then messaged: “He’s genuinely a really good bloke and I’m proud he’s one of our own.”
Meanwhile another simply stated: “Ultimate respect to him.”
Kane was quick to show his gratitude to his adoring fans after the match, as he said: “I am so used to coming here as the home player.
“[I’ve] been here so many times before so it was strange and putting this shirt on, being in the away dressing room, but I like to enjoy these occasions.
“I had an amazing career at Spurs, so many great memories and just great to see the fans again, so many players and staff I have a lot of relationships with.
“The game itself, I probably shouldn’t have been playing. I only trained yesterday but I was always going to play 10 minutes and it was good.
“Everything was really rushed through last year, so we didn’t have a chance (to say goodbye), but it was great way to say thank you to all of them.
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The reception I got was amazing and great to clap them around the pitch after, those who stayed behind and I will always be thankful for every Spurs fan for the support they’ve given me through my whole career. It’s been incredible.
“I just appreciate them seeing me and me seeing them again.”