As Harry Kane Breaks His trophy curse, Here are 5 football Superstars who Have Never Won a Major title!

When Harry Kane first stepped onto the professional stage as a 17-year-old with Leyton Orient, few would have predicted the long wait he’d endure for silverware. At that very moment in 2011, Robert Lewandowski was leading Borussia Dortmund to yet another Bundesliga title, ending Bayern Munich’s domestic dominance—albeit briefly. But Bayern would bounce back, clinching 11 straight league titles and two Champions League trebles in the years to come.

In 2023, Kane joined the Bavarian giants for a staggering €100 million, hoping to finally add a trophy to his impressive résumé. Despite netting 36 league goals and 44 across all competitions in his debut season, Bayern shockingly finished second to an inspired Bayer Leverkusen under Xabi Alonso. The heartbreak continued.

But in the 2024–25 campaign, Kane’s luck turned. Bayern Munich secured their 34th German title, finally allowing the England captain to lift his first major trophy. After years of personal brilliance overshadowed by collective shortfalls, Kane’s wait was over.

While Kane’s story now has its fairytale ending, several iconic players were not as fortunate. Here’s a look at five football greats who never got their hands on a major trophy.

Socrates:
Brazil’s charismatic midfield maestro led one of the most beloved sides in World Cup history—the 1982 Brazilian team. Despite their flair and creativity, they were eliminated by Italy in a dramatic second-round group clash. A draw would have seen Brazil through, but their insistence on attacking led to a Paolo Rossi hat-trick and heartbreak. Socrates never won a major international or club title, with his honours limited to state championships.

Johnny Haynes;
Fulham’s most iconic figure, Haynes spent 18 years at the club, never lifting a major trophy. He captained England 22 times and was once regarded as the best passer in world football by none other than Pelé. A car accident in 1962 derailed his career, and though he had 56 caps by then, he was never called up for England again, missing the glory of 1966.

Tom Finney:
Finney’s entire professional career was with Preston North End, where he became a symbol of loyalty and grace. He starred during an era disrupted by World War II and narrowly missed silverware in 1954 when Preston were FA Cup runners-up. Injuries forced him to retire at 38, and the club was relegated the very next season.

Neil Franklin:
Regarded by many as England’s finest defender of his era, Franklin was a revolutionary centre-back with a rare blend of aerial dominance and technical skill. He helped Stoke City almost win the league in 1947 but made a controversial move to Colombia in 1950 for financial reasons. The decision cost him his England career, and he never returned to his best form.

Giuseppe Signori:
A clinical finisher and three-time Serie A top scorer, Signori dazzled for Lazio and Bologna. He had an impressive stint with Italy during the 1994 World Cup but did not play in the final, where Italy lost to Brazil on penalties. Despite his prolific domestic scoring, his trophy cabinet remained bare except for a lesser-known UEFA Intertoto Cup win.

Honourable Mentions:
Several other high-profile stars also fell short in the trophy hunt. Son Heung-min, Kane’s former Spurs teammate, is a Premier League Golden Boot winner and Puskás Award recipient, but major team honours have eluded him so far.

Bernd Schneider, Bayer Leverkusen’s versatile midfielder, finished as runner-up in nearly every competition: Bundesliga, German Cup, Champions League, and even the 2002 World Cup.

Other names include the ever-entertaining Len Shackleton, goal-scoring wizard Antonio Di Natale, and Dimitri Payet—each of whom left lasting impressions on fans but never tasted major triumph.

So, for every Harry Kane who breaks the curse, there are countless footballers who leave the game without lifting the trophies their talents deserved.