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's Jude Bellingham, his England teammate.
Tonight's semi-final first leg in Germany pits the two England superstars against each other, less than two months out from Euro 2024.
Kane, 30, has been the only light to consistently shine in a faltering Bayern side this season following his move from Tottenham, while Bellingham has established himself as a member of the footballing elite, less than a year after leaving Borussia Dortmund for Madrid.
While Xabi Alonso's unbeaten Bayer Leverkusen may have already won the Bundesliga, Kane's 42 goals this season is the most he has struck in a campaign.
Bellingham moved to Dortmund from hometown club Birmingham in 2020. Three years later, he moved to Madrid for 103 million euros (HK$862.54 million).
The 19-year-old has carried an injury-hit Madrid through difficult parts of the season with crucial goals, including late winners in both Clasico fixtures 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 tonight and in the return leg.
"He's a great player," Kane said, but "I hope he's quiet in the next two games."
While the two never faced each other before, they have played alongside one another 22 times.
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. The midfielder is widely expected to take over as England skipper whenever Kane decides to hang up the boots.
Kane said he would "hopefully [score] a few" goals against Madrid. "I'm quite excited."
