Eric Dier writes a letter to his friend and former teammate Harry Kane in @kicker after the latter won Germany's Footballer of the Year award
"Hi Harry, do you still remember the trip to Perth?
Itโs been three years now, but I havenโt forgotten that trip. We were on our way to the pre-season tour with Tottenham, and on the flight over, you told me for the first time: FC Bayern wanted to sign you, and you wanted to move to Bayern as well. We both said that it was probably going to happen - but at the time, we couldnโt have imagined just how perfectly it would actually work out.
And do you remember? nine years earlier? Upton Park on a Saturday afternoon, Premier League matchday. West Ham against Tottenham. I had only just moved from Sporting to Spurs. You came on as a substitute and saw me simply run from the back all the way to the front. Your through ball, me scoring in the 1โ0 winner in the third minute of stoppage time. My debut - wow! And thatโs how it all started for us. Although, if weโre honest, not that much happened between us at first, did it? We were teammates back then, and we got along. Nothing more than that, really. But we only became friends later, didnโt we? Maybe that was also because we were just 20 and 21 years old, focused on the careers we had only just begun.
Do you remember how people described you as a โone-season wonderโ for five years? After 21 goals in the league? The following year you scored 25. Then 29. Then 30. That never bothered you. You just wanted to show everyone what you were capable of, year after year. You never stopped working. You simply got better and better
And even today, after all the Golden Boots, the Golden Shoe and whatever else, youโre still the same person - and thatโs something I really admire about you. You and your family are role models for other people, people who have simply remained down-to-earth and humble. You show that hard work can make anything possibe
The move to Bayern did you so much good. But not only because you finally won the titles that eluded you at Tottenham. You simply needed that challenge, didnโt you? That step up to the next level. What an incredible level you have reached
How cool was it that we were able to celebrate together that night when we were officially crowned championsโฆ We had to wait much longer for it than we would have liked, but I think we both agree that we learned some valuable lessons along the way. And damn, how good those cigars tasted by the fire in Ibiza! You deserve all the success youโve had, and hopefully youโll win the Ballon dโOr. Iโm not saying that just because Iโm your friend. The stats and facts speak for themselves - just like all the things that canโt be seen in an Excel table.
Your reliability and your willingness to put yourself at the service of the team are unparalleled.
Greetings from Monaco"
Bayern is the 4th most valuable football club brand in the world, according to @BrandFinance's annual report on the most valuable and strongest football club brands
๐ต The report states that FC Bayern climbed two ranks to fourth position following another record financial year. Growth across broadcasting, commercial and matchday revenues was complemented by continued on-field success, with Bayern securing a domestic treble after winning the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal and German Super Cup. This combination of sustained commercial expansion and dominant sporting performance has propelled the German club to its highest rank since 2019
Jan-Christian Dreesen: "Harry was the Bundesliga top scorer for the third time in a row. He has scored 61 goals for FC Bayern and a total of 73 goals including the national team last season. Only Lionel Messi has scored more goals in a single season this century. That shows the historical significance - Harry is an exceptional player and, far beyond his goals, a special striker for us โ and also an outstanding character"
Rio Ferdinand to Harry Kane: "You've won the European Golden boot, became top scorer for England at the World Cup. Who else man? Who else should win the Ballon d'Or above Harry Kane? Like come on, there's only one man: Harry Kane"
โ Jamal Musiala on IG:
"First things first - Iโm doing well! Above all, Iโm incredibly grateful for all your messages and your support! I understand that many of you are worried. I want to put those concerns to rest today and explain a little more: I have been diagnosed with brief, temporary episodes of absence that are easily treatable and are caused by a neurological dysfunction. These can lead to the moments that have occurred recently, such as against Leipzig and now in Heidenheim. I know that they may seem scary at first glance - but for me, they are currently simply part of my everyday life. I am receiving the best possible medical care in this regard, and I am very optimistic. FC Bayern and the people closest to me are always by my side and supporting me on this journey
What is important is that there is no additional health risk beyond this. In close consultation and regular communication with the specialists, it was my personal wish to face this challenge and, with the approval of the neurological specialists, to continue doing what helps me most in my recovery: simply living my everyday life and continuing to pursue my passion of playing football. I have taken responsibility for that decision. Overall, I have a very good feeling and I am on a good path. What helps me most along the way is continuing to chase victories and titles with my team, with your incredible support. I hope this helps you understand me better. At the same time, I ask for your understanding that I would like to continue keeping this matter within the circle of my closest confidants, the club and the experts.
Thank you very much.
Yours,
J โค๏ธ"