Bayern Munich have been crowned Bundesliga champions for the 33rd time after Bayer Leverkusen’s 2-2 draw with Freiburg made it mathematically impossible to catch them. With an eight-point lead and two games remaining, Bayern finally celebrated a title that had long looked inevitable. For Harry Kane, it’s the first major trophy of his career. As one of the top strikers of his generation, this breakthrough invites comparisons with Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo’s title haul at similar ages.
The Bavarians nearly sealed the title on Saturday, but a dramatic 94th-minute equalizer from RB Leipzig delayed the celebrations. Kane and his teammates had to wait another 24 hours, watching from afar as Leverkusen dropped points. The England captain has been in prolific form, scoring 24 league goals this season and 60 across two Bundesliga campaigns.
For Kane, this title brings an end to a long run of near-misses, including a Champions League final loss with Spurs and two major tournament runner-up finishes with England. Despite a collection of individual honors, team success had always remained just out of reach.
How many titles did Lionel Messi have at 31 years old?
Messi turned 31 in June 2018, by which time he had already collected 34 trophies, both with Barcelona and Argentina’s youth teams. His honors included nine of his ten La Liga titles, six Copa del Rey, seven Supercopa de España, four Champions League trophies, three UEFA Super Cups, and three FIFA Club World Cups.
Lionel Messi celebrates the 2014-15 Champions League (Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
With Argentina, he also won an Olympic gold medal in 2008 and the FIFA World Youth Championship in 2005. However, by that point, he had yet to win a major senior trophy with the national team.
see also
Harry Kane reaches 40 Champions League goals: How many games did it take Messi and Ronaldo?
Messi’s titles breakdown at 31 years old
Barcelona
- La Liga: 2004–05, 2005–06, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2012–13, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2017–18
- Copa del Rey: 2008–09, 2011–12, 2014–15, 2015–16, 2016–17, 2017–18
- Supercopa de España: 2006, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2016, 2018
- UEFA Champions League: 2005–06, 2008–09, 2010–11, 2014–15
- UEFA Super Cup: 2009, 2011, 2015
- FIFA Club World Cup: 2009, 2011, 2015
Argentina U20
- FIFA World Youth Championship: 2005
Argentina U23
- Olympic Games: 2008
How old was Messi when he won his first official title?
With Barcelona, he won his first title at 17 years old, when the Blaugranas won the 2004-05 La Liga. At the time, he was the youngest player to represent Barcelona in an official competition.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s trophies at 31 years old
Meanwhile, Ronaldo turned 31 in February 2016. By that time, he had won 18 titles with Sporting, Manchester United, and Real Madrid. His honors included three Premier League titles and one La Liga title. Later that year, he added a Champions League with Real Madrid, his second FIFA Club World Cup, and the UEFA European Championship with Portugal.
Cristiano Ronaldo won his second Champions League with Real Madrid at 31 years old (Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)
Ronaldo’s title breakdown at 31 years old
- Sporting CP
- Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira: 2002
- Manchester United
- Premier League: 2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09
- FA Cup: 2003–04
- Football League Cup: 2005–06, 2008–09
- FA Community Shield: 2007
- UEFA Champions League: 2007–08
- FIFA Club World Cup: 2008
- Real Madrid
- La Liga: 2011–12
- Copa del Rey: 2010–11, 2013–14
- Supercopa de España: 2012
- UEFA Champions League: 2013–14, 2015–16
- UEFA Super Cup: 2014
- FIFA Club World Cup: 2014, 2016
How old was Cristiano Ronaldo when he won his first title?
Cristiano Ronaldo picked up his first piece of silverware at just 18, winning the FA Cup in his debut season with Manchester United. It was an early sign of the success that would define his career.
