On video: a message from the past shocks Harry Kane before the Arsenal clash
Tears before the battle
Away from the clamour of goals and record-breaking numbers, Harry Kane had a rare human moment just hours before Bayern Munich's decisive Champions League clash with Arsenal.
The 33-year-old striker has long been a nightmare for the Gunners' defence and stands as the leading candidate to win the Ballon d'Or next week. An unexpected message left him unable to contain himself.
TNT Sports arranged a special surprise for Kane, who agreed a huge new contract with Bayern last week. They tracked down his old teacher at Chingford School to record an encouraging voice message following his astonishing start to the season.
His voice brimming with pride, Mr Leydon said in the message, aired live: "Hello Harry, it's Mr Leydon. First of all, on behalf of everyone at Chingford School, I'd like to express how very proud we are of you."
He added: "Your record in the Premier League with Tottenham, in the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich, and of course with England, whether in terms of goals or appearances, is a truly wonderful achievement."
"But it goes beyond that," he continued. "You've represented our country with great leadership, and as our captain, you've been a truly inspiring role model for thousands of young players who aspire to follow in your footsteps. I wish you the best of luck with the Ballon d'Or. And remember, as the song goes, you'll always be one of us."
Those words carried the Three Lions' all-time top scorer back many years.
An emotional Kane replied: "Thank you so much. I have wonderful memories of playing football at school, when I was just a free-spirited kid, eager to score goals and play. I don't even think I considered turning professional in football when I was eleven or twelve years old. It was just a dream."
He went on: "Obviously, as you get older, it becomes more realistic, and you start to understand the sacrifices that come with it. I was willing to do a lot of things that others didn't, and that's a big part of why I'm here now."
Kane has found the net nine times for Bayern this season. He enters the Arsenal match looking to add to a tally that already stands at 15 goals in 22 appearances against the Gunners.
He isn't the first prolific scorer to reunite with an old teacher after reaching the top. In a famous meeting that went widely viral, Arsenal legend Ian Wright met his teacher Sydney Pigden and told him in astonishment: "I can't believe it. Someone told me you were dead."
