Harry Kane reflects on 500 career goals, 100 converted penalties, and possibility of breaking Robert Lewandowski’s Bundesliga scoring record

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Saturday proved a day of statistical milestones for Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane. The England national team captain’s opening goal in his team’s Bundesliga victory over Werder Bremen enabled him to celebrate 500 career goals and 100 converted penalties. Kane scored another goal shortly thereafter, stirring up discussion about another potential major milestone. 

Can Harry Kane beat Robert Lewandowski’s Bundesliga scoring record?

Kane’s latest league brace leaves him with 26 Bundesliga goals through 22 matchdays. This happens to be the exact total of goals Robert Lewandowski scored at the exact same point in the 2020/21 campaign for Hansi Flick’s Bayern Munich. Lewandowski – despite missing four league fixtures with injury – would go on to score in all eight remaining league fixtures in which he was involved that season.

Aided by three league hat tricks and one league brace, Lewandowski was able to smash Gerd Müller’s all time scoring record of 40 goals in a single season in dramatic fashion. The Polish footballing legend memorably netted his 41st goal of the season in second half injury time on the final matchday during a 5-2 home victory over Augsburg. 

Vincent Kompany on the possibility of Kane breaking the record

“As a former player who wasn’t a striker, I’ll tell you that I act on the assumption that the title is more important to Harry than the record,” Kompany said when asked about the record at the post-match press conference. “But maybe I’m just naive. As I mentioned, I’m a former defender. Harry scores goals, but he again worked hard again for the team today.

“A Harry that heads into the game just thinking about scoring two goals wouldn’t have helped us keep a clean sheet today,” Kompany continued. “That’s what was the most important thing for me today. From my perspective, I don’t care about records. I just want to be champions. I’ll tell Harry that.

“He has to continue working hard for the team,” Kompany concluded. “And he’ll continue to do that no matter what. One must remember that he’s the England national team captain for a reason.“

Kane speaks on milestones and the Lewandowski record 

“Anything is possible, of course there is still a long way to go to reach an incredible record,” Kane remarked in the mixed zone. “I’m in good form and I’m happy to have scored again today and helped the team. Of course, I’m proud to have scored 500 goals. But it was hard work, so I’m glad I did it. But the most important thing today was that we won and didn’t concede a goal.“

GGFN | Peter Weis