Son Heungmin Ends Title Drought: "Proud as a Korean"

Tottenham Wins Europa League
Son Heungmin Lifts First Trophy in 15 Years as a Professional
Substituted in at 67th Minute, Contributes to Victory
"I Feel Like the Happiest Person in the World"

"As a Korean, I am truly proud, and I am delighted to be able to lift the championship trophy."

Son Heungmin lifted his long-awaited first championship trophy in his 15th year as a professional footballer.

Son Heungmin's club, Tottenham Hotspur, claimed victory by defeating Manchester United 1-0 in the UEFA Europa League final held at Estadio San Mames in Bilbao, Spain, on the 22nd (local time). The winning goal came in the 42nd minute of the first half, scored by Brennan Johnson, who has been Tottenham's top scorer this season in the English Premier League with 11 goals.

Son Heungmin was substituted in the 67th minute of the second half, contributing to his team's victory. Taking the field in place of the exhausted Richarlison, he was active for about 30 minutes, including stoppage time, helping secure the win.

Tottenham captain Son Heungmin lifted the trophy and celebrated with his teammates after securing his first championship in 15 years of his professional career by defeating Manchester United 1-0 in the UEFA Europa League final held at Estadio San Mames in Bilbao, Spain on the 22nd. Photo by EPA Yonhap News

This championship is especially meaningful for Son Heungmin. After making his professional debut in 2010 with Hamburg in the German Bundesliga, he moved to Leverkusen and then joined Tottenham for the 2015-2016 season, but had never won a title. In the 2018-2019 UEFA Champions League final, Tottenham lost 2-0 to Liverpool, and in the 2020-2021 English Football League (EFL) Carabao Cup final, they were defeated 1-0 by Manchester City.

At a media day event on the 12th, ahead of the final, Son Heungmin said, "This final feels like it could be my last chance," expressing his determination. He has now finally fulfilled his dream by kissing the championship trophy.

This victory is also highly significant for Tottenham. It is their first title in 17 years since winning the League Cup in the 2007-2008 season and their third Europa League triumph, following victories in the 1971-1972 and 1983-1984 seasons?a span of 41 years. As the captain who delivered the trophy, Son Heungmin has solidified his status as a "Tottenham legend."

Son Heungmin said, "The moment I have always dreamed of has become a reality today. I feel like the happiest person in the world. I have achieved something in 17 years that no one else could. At least for today, I can call myself a Tottenham legend."

Having completed his 10th season with Tottenham this year, Son Heungmin has played in 333 matches, scoring 127 goals and providing 71 assists. His 127 goals rank him joint 16th in Premier League history, and he became the first Asian player to reach 100 Premier League goals. In the 2021-2022 season, he scored 23 goals, becoming the first Asian player to win the Premier League Golden Boot. Notably, his solo 71-meter dribble and goal against Burnley in the 2019-2020 season was chosen as the "Goal of the Season" and remains one of the most memorable moments in Premier League history. Son Heungmin has also won the Premier League Player of the Month award four times. He ranks sixth in Tottenham's all-time appearances, fifth in goals, and holds the club's record for most assists.

Above all, while Harry Kane, regarded as Tottenham's greatest ever player and symbol of the club, left without winning a title, Son Heungmin stayed and finally delivered a championship to the team. For this, he will be remembered as an even more devoted player.