Bayern Munich welcomes Harry Kane home as a hero after Ballon d'Or triumph

Harry, Harry, Harry. That's what rang out at Bayern Munich's training ground this Tuesday when Harry Kane stepped out of his car and found something few footballers ever experience: a guard of honor formed by the club's own staff. This was no ordinary day. Just a day earlier, Kane had become the first Englishman in 25 years to lift the Ballon d'Or, and all of Bavaria wanted to celebrate with him.

The striker didn't hide his emotion when he posted a message after the gala.

Where do I even start? That was a night I'll never forget. This will live long in my memory.Harry Kane

And he has every reason to feel that way: with this award, Kane brings Bayern a Ballon d'Or the club hasn't won in 45 years, not since Karl-Heinz Rummenigge did it in 1981. Before him, only Franz Beckenbauer and Gerd Muller had carried the trophy to Munich. There's another number that puts the achievement in perspective too: no player from a German club had won it since 1996.

Sporting director Christoph Freund didn't hold back his praise for the center forward.

We're all delighted with Harry Kane's performances. It's not just his goals that make him an exceptional footballer, and it's not only on the pitch that he shows what a special person he is. Harry is a great guy, it's rare to find someone at a world class level who's also so down to earth. He's taken the center forward role to another level, he's an inspiration, especially for young players. He's without a doubt one of the greatest in the history of this sport.Christoph Freund

A celebration with the trophy on hand

The club has already promised a "special welcome" for Kane ahead of Wednesday's second round German Cup match against Magdeburg, a second division side. Assistant coach Aaron Danks confirmed the English captain will be available for that match, as Bayern look to defend the title they won last season, fittingly thanks to a Kane hat trick in the final.

The party won't end there. The club also announced that Kane will show off the Ballon d'Or to supporters this Saturday, when Bayern host their fiercest rivals, Borussia Dortmund, in the Bundesliga clash. Worth remembering: Robert Lewandowski, while at Bayern, was the heavy favorite for the award in 2020, the year it ultimately went unawarded due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Still, it's not all good news at the Bavarian club. Head coach Vincent Kompany remains under medical observation after collapsing during a training session last week, and midfielder Joshua Kimmich is on leave following the death of a family member. Danks summed it up candidly.

You see the extremes life can throw at you. The immense joy Harry felt yesterday and the moments we've had over the past few weeks. It's important to understand that people are what really matter.Aaron Danks

Caught between the euphoria of the Ballon d'Or and concerns about what's happening behind closed doors, Bayern are living through days of contrast. But for one moment at least, "Harry, Harry" took over Munich.