Preview Bayern Munich vs Club Brugge (02:00, 23/10): Harry Kane is playing like Messi did in 2015

22/10/2025 10:33:00 TrophyTracker

Harry Kane is delivering a style of football that earns admiration throughout Europe. At 32, the English forward not only sustains an elite goal-scoring rate but also plays a comprehensive, smart, and efficient game comparable to Lionel Messi at his 2015 prime.

Harry Kane is performing like Messi did ten years ago

In reality, Kane has had an unbelievable start to the 2025/26 season with Bayern Munich. His goal against Dortmund in the recent Der Klassiker was his 19th in only 11 matches. This also marked his 400th club-level goal, contributing to Bayern’s perfect record of 11 wins in all competitions. In just over a year with the "Red Giants," Kane reached 100 goals faster than any player in one of Europe’s top five leagues.

Beyond scoring, Kane is changing his own style of play. He often drops deeper, taking on the role of a number 10 — sometimes even a number 8 — in Bayern’s attacking formation. The English player once said: "Today I am a defensive midfielder, a playmaker, and a striker all at once. I play as a 6, 8, and 10 simultaneously." This description precisely matches what Messi did at Barcelona in the 2014/15 season — when the Argentine superstar scored 52 goals and assisted 26 times across all competitions, helping Barca achieve the treble and winning his fifth Ballon d’Or.

Harry Kane is at the peak of his performance despite being 32 years old

Kane’s evolution has come at the perfect moment. When he was at Tottenham or playing for England, he was often criticized for dropping too deep instead of waiting for chances in the box. But at Bayern, this became an asset. With speedy attackers like Leroy Sane, Musiala, and Luis Diaz, Kane’s accurate long passes continuously open space and opportunities for teammates. He acts both as a creator and a finisher.

Harry Kane has set a new milestone, entering Bundesliga history

What makes Kane special is his vision and humility to accept he must evolve. He knows he cannot always rely on explosive physicality like at 25. Now, Kane is smarter, conserves movement, and reads the game like a creative midfielder. This adaptability allows him to sustain his level at an age when many strikers begin to slow down.

Furthermore, Kane’s close friendship with legend Thomas Muller helps him integrate quickly. They often exchange ideas about positioning, movement, and creating space for each other. Thanks to this, Bayern’s attacking system is more flexible than ever. Kane can drop deep to pull defenders out, creating space for other forwards to run in, similar to how Messi did for Neymar and Suarez.

Physically, Kane is also demonstrating perfect preparation for a late peak phase. He told The Telegraph: "I’m in the best shape of my career. I show no signs of slowing down. I want to see how far I can go." With 47 goals for Bayern and England in 2025, the striker born in 1993 is clearly on track to break all Bundesliga records and might even reach the top 10 all-time scorers in Bayern’s history after just three seasons.

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