Ballon d’Or winner Harry Kane becomes Europe’s highest paid footballer
Harry Kane has committed his future to Bayern Munich until 2029 and his new contract has reportedly made him the highest paid footballer in Europe. The extension comes just a week after the England captain won the Ballon d’Or and added another milestone to an extraordinary period in his career.
Bayern confirmed on Thursday that Kane had signed a new contract until June 30, 2029. The 33-year-old joined the German champions from Tottenham Hotspur in 2023 and has since scored 156 goals in 161 games to become an indispensable part of Vincent Kompany’s side.
I can’t wait for more years with this great club! Harry Kane (@HKane) November 5, 2026
According to The Athletic, the deal is the most lucrative contract in Bayern’s history. Sources familiar with the deal said Kane is now the highest-paid player in Europe on salary, although some rivals could earn more if performance-related bonuses were included.
“I feel at home at FC Bayern. I love the club, the fans and the city of Munich. We have a fantastic team and a fantastic manager in Vincent Kompany,” said Kane.
“I am very proud to be part of this club. My whole family is very happy here. I wanted to stay. Now I am looking forward to the future and I want to win many more titles with this great club.”
The extension reflects how much Kane’s stature has risen since his move to Germany. Initially expected to fill the void left by Robert Lewandowski, he has since become the focal point of Bayern’s attack, contributing not only with goals but also with creativity and interplay.
WHO WERE THE HIGHEST EARNERS IN EUROPE?
Before Kane’s new deal, Manchester City striker Erling Haaland and Real Madrid forwards Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior were among Europe’s biggest earners. Capology’s estimated fixed gross wages in 2026-27 put them ahead of Kane’s previous wages at Bayern.
Estimated weekly wages in Europe’s top five leagues were:
- Erling Haaland (Manchester City) – £525,000 per week.
- Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid) – £513,000 per week.
- Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid) – £513,000 per week.
- Harry Kane (Bayern Munich, previous deal) – around £411,000 per week.
These are estimated fixed salaries before bonuses and image rights, not confirmed contract figures. Athletic’s assessment of Kane’s new guaranteed salary uses information from sources familiar with his deal, so the two sets of numbers shouldn’t be directly compared without taking into account their different methodologies.
BALLON D’OR AND WORLD CUP SUCCESS
Kane’s contract extension follows the best individual season of his career. His 73 goals for Bayern and England during the 2025-26 campaign helped him become the first Englishman since Michael Owen in 2001 to win the Ballon d’Or. He also became the first Bundesliga player to receive the award since Matthias Sammer in 1996.
The England captain also guided his country to third place at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, their best finish since winning the tournament in 1966. After finally adding major team honors to his prolific individual record, Kane has now secured his future in Munich as he looks to add more silverware to his collection.
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