Harry Kane must: did he send his famous message to Mbappé and Yamal after winning the Ballon d'Or?
"It was a wonderful Monday night"
Harry Kane has revealed the truth behind the famous message he aimed at Real Madrid and Barcelona duo Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal during the Ballon d'Or race.
The Bayern Munich striker claimed the Ballon d'Or, finishing ahead of runner-up Mbappe and Yamal in third.
Mbappe and Yamal had both made plenty of noise about their claims to the prize. After winning it, Kane posted on social media: "Work hard in silence, and let success speak for you."
"Marca" reported on Thursday that the England captain is still riding the high. Kane, who sat out the emphatic 6-1 cup win over Magdeburg, met a large group of German league representatives just 48 hours after lifting the Ballon d'Or.
Kane said: "It was an eventful week. Monday night was wonderful. I was extremely nervous, with completely different feelings from the ones I get before a football match."
He continued: "I kept trying to imagine how I would feel if I won. The support I received from friends, family, fans and on social media was very special... I received a lot of congratulations. And of course, I spent a wonderful night after the match. I celebrated with my closest friends, and then went back to work, of course."
Was the message for Mbappe and Yamal?
On that famous message, he replied: "It was not for them at all. It is a saying I have loved throughout my career, honestly. It motivates me, and it motivates what I do, and how I deal with hard work, discipline and dedication. Many times I had to train on my own."
Harry went on: "All the work I do behind the scenes. I think it is a great saying, and many boys and girls can look at it and benefit from it too."
A special moment awaiting Harry Kane
One special moment still lies ahead, as he explained: "My wife and children are in London, and they will return on Friday. Although I spoke to them over a video call, I am eager to see them and show them the trophy."
He added: "I know they will try to play with it, but it is rather heavy, so I will make sure to protect it.. They usually play together, and the winner gets the trophy that has just arrived home... But in this case, it will be a little difficult to explain to them the need to be careful."
The story of the golden schnitzel
A Bayern-mad restaurant owner delivered a gift to Kane's villa after the ceremony: four pieces of veal schnitzel decorated with edible gold leaf and a sparkling golden spray.
Harry said: "It is a lovely tradition we have (every time he scores a goal they serve him schnitzel), and we will keep it up. I did not eat it, as I had my pre-match rituals and it is now at home... although someone else may have eaten it (laughs). I consider it another award."
Gifts for the Bayern Munich and England players
Kane will also dip into his own pocket, as he explained: "I have to find a good gift for my team-mates, whether at Bayern Munich or with England, as a token of thanks. I will try to organise that... but I will give them a wonderful gift."
The England international feels, in a way, grateful to get back to routine and training after the ceremony: "I could have played. But honestly, the coach told me he was thinking of giving me a rest even before the Ballon d'Or awards ceremony."
He added: "I have played many matches in the last six weeks, and things have gone well. The team started the match brilliantly. It is true that for a moment I thought I would play, but we scored the fourth goal and settled the match."
He continued: "I think it was important to take a break, especially from a psychological point of view, after Monday. I felt as though six months had passed since the Freiburg match, when only three days had passed. It is good to come back and regain some semblance of normal life, and to see the fans, my team-mates and the pitch."
The Bayern and Dortmund Klassiker
Kane already has his eyes on Saturday's "Klassiker" at the Allianz Arena, with league leaders Bayern on 17 points hosting Borussia Dortmund.
He said: "I will train tomorrow, and I will be ready," before talking about the match: "Yes, of course. It is an important match. It is our most important match this season in the German league. Both teams are at the top of the table. We know how much better it will be if we win and secure victory."
He went on: "It has been a week full of emotions, and we hope to round it off perfectly on Saturday. It sounds nice, but I would feel strange if everyone called me 'Sir'. So I will stay as Harry.. that is how he joked about the possibility of receiving a knighthood.
His plan has not changed. He still clings to two words he repeats often: luck and success, as he said: "I think it is a valuable message that can help a lot of boys and girls."
