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Agence France-Presse

If Harry Kane is to win the Champions League with Bayern Munich and claim a first career trophy, he will have to get past Real Madrid and England teammate Jude Bellingham.
Tuesday’s semi-final first leg in the Bavarian capital pits the two England superstars against each other, less than two months out from Euro 2024 kicking off in the same venue.
A decade apart in age, the duo have walked hugely different paths so far in their careers, but have become crucially important to their respective European giants since joining in the summer.
Kane has been the only light to consistently shine in a faltering Bayern side this season.

Less than a year after leaving Germany, Bellingham has established himself alongside Kane and a handful of others as a member of the footballing elite.
And while they will seek to join forces in the summer, they will battle it out on Tuesday to get to Wembley – the location of this season’s Champions League final.
Despite a stellar individual career after coming through the youth academy at Tottenham, Kane, 30, moved to Bayern in August, having left England looking to win a first team trophy.
Long underestimated, Kane has eliminated any doubt about his quality among Europe’s elite at Bayern this season.
While Xabi Alonso’s unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen may have already won the Bundesliga, Kane’s 42 goals this season in all competitions is already the most he has struck in a campaign.
Bellingham, on the other hand, was a teenage prodigy and moved to Borussia Dortmund from hometown club Birmingham in 2020.
A fee of €30 million (US$31.17 million) made him the most expensive 17-year-old ever. Just three years later, he moved to Madrid from Dortmund for €103 million.
While Bellingham’s quality was clear when he left Germany, few would have expected him to emerge as one of the best players in the world quite so soon.
Bellingham has carried an injury-hit Madrid through difficult parts of the season and kept them on course for the league title with crucial goals, including late winners in both Clasico fixtures against Barcelona in La Liga.
After scoring a brace in Saturday’s 2-1 home win over Eintracht Frankfurt, Kane said he hoped Bellingham had a night off on Tuesday.
“He’s a great player, as I’ve said before,” Kane said. “Of course, he has had an amazing season himself. But from my point of view, I hope he has quiet in the next two games.”
Kane and Bellingham were “keeping it professional” and had not spoken before Tuesday’s match, but would “catch up before the game and after the game”.
Kane and Bellingham have never faced each other before, but have played one the same side 22 times, losing just four matches.
The two have struck up an on-field partnership, with Bellingham laying on three assists for Kane at international level.

When Kane skied a late penalty in the 2022 World Cup quarter-final loss to France, Bellingham was the first to console the England captain.
Aged just 19, Bellingham became the youngest-ever Bundesliga captain when given the armband for Dortmund last season.
The midfielder is widely expected to take over as England skipper whenever Kane decides to hang up the boots.
But while the two represent the Three Lions’ present and future, only one will make it to Wembley.
Kane said he would “hopefully (score) a few” goals against Madrid.
“I’m confident I’m in a good moment and I can put some away,” he said. “I’m looking forward to the atmosphere – the atmosphere against Arsenal [in the quarter-final] was incredible. I’m expecting it’ll go another level up and I’m quite excited.”


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Uefa Champions League

UEFA Champions League: England stars Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham headline Bayern-Real Madrid battle as Euro 2024 looms

Kane (right) and Bellingham have played on the same England side 22 times, losing just four matches. Photo: Getty Images

Kane (right) has scored 42 goals this season in all competitions – the most he has in one season. Photo: Xinhua

Bellingham (centre) scoring the late winner against Barcelona in El Clasico recently. Photo: AFP

Advantage Bundesliga as Premier League clubs sweat on extra Champions League place following bad night for England

Germany are now favoured to secure a fifth Champions League spot next season after Bayern Munich joined Borussia Dortmund in the semi-finals after defeating Arsenal 3-2 on aggregate on Wednesday. Photo: dpa

A dejected Bernardo Silva (rear) of Manchester City after his team’s defeat to Real Madrid. Photo: EPA

Aston Villa, who lead Lille in the Europa Conference League, could be the only English club left in Europe come Friday. Photo: Reuters

Laureus World Sports Awards: Jude Bellingham’s Real Madrid impact, Kylian Mbappe’s speed impress football fan Usain Bolt

Jamaican sprint legend Usain Bolt (left) and Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham recreate the latter’s open arms goal celebration at the Laureus World Sports Awards in Madrid on Monday. Photo: AFP

Usain Bolt rubs shoulders with Jude Bellingham ahead of the awards ceremony. Photo: Reuters

France’s Kylian Mbappe at speed during the semi-final against Belgium at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Photo: AP

Spanish footballer Aitana Bonmati won the world sportswoman of the year award. Photo: Reuters

El Clasico abroad could be ‘very positive’ for La Liga, says ex-Real Madrid star, as Bellingham takes plaudits

A potential change in Fifa rules means the prospect of Real Madrid facing Barcelona outside Spain is not out of the question. Photo: AFP

 Julio Baptista (right) won the 2007-08 La Liga title with Real Madrid, and was capped 47 times by Brazil. Photo: EPA-EFE

The irrepressible Jude Bellingham scored stoppage-time winners in both Clasico fixtures this season. Photo: AFP

Real Madrid v Barcelona in Hong Kong? La Liga president adamant official matches will take place abroad

La Liga president Javier Tebas is keen for the league to host matches abroad from the 2025-26 season. Photo: EPA

La Liga chief Tebas reiterated that goal-line technology would not be introduced. Photo: Xinhua

Sport

Football

Tuesday’s semi-final first leg in Munich pits the superstars against each other, less than two months out from Euro 2024
The pair have never faced each other but have played together for England 22 times and hope to team up again in the summer


Tuesday’s semi-final first leg in Munich pits the superstars against each other, before they join forces in the summer for England in Germany.


Uefa

UEFA Champions League: England stars Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham headline Bayern-Real Madrid battle as Euro 2024 looms

Tuesday’s semi-final first leg in Munich pits the superstars against each other, less than two months out from Euro 2024 The pair have never faced each other but have played together for England 22 times and hope to team up again in the summer

Tuesday’s semi-final first leg in Munich pits the superstars against each other, less than two months out from Euro 2024

The pair have never faced each other but have played together for England 22 times and hope to team up again in the summer