Son Heung-Min ends Tottenham trophy drought: ‘Let’s say I’m a legend’
Tottenham Hotspur captain Son Heung-Min accepted the tag of Spurs legend, if only for one day, after lifting the club’s first trophy in 17 years following a victory in Wednesday’s Europa League final.
Spurs beat Manchester United 1-0 in Bilbao, Spain, thanks to Brennan Johnson’s first-half goal. It was the north London club’s first title since it won the English League Cup in 2008 and first European triumph since it won its second UEFA Cup — the equivalent of the Europa League now — in 1984.
The trophy was also the first that Son, who joined Tottenham 10 years ago, has won in his club career. His only previous silverware came in winning the Asian Games with South Korea in 2018.
Having said at the start of this season that he wanted to go down as a Spurs legend but didn’t yet feel entitled to that honour, Son was asked following the victory if he now considers himself worthy.
“Let’s say I’m a legend. Why not? Only today!” Son told TNT Sports.
“Seventeen years nobody has done it, so with such amazing players yeah today’s the day. Probably today I will say I’m a legend of this club.
“I feel amazing. This is what I’ve always dreamed for and today is the day it happened. Dream came really, really true. I’m so so happy. I am the happiest man in the world.”
Son just recently returned from a foot injury and came off the bench in Wednesday’s final in the 67th minute. After the final whistle, he celebrated wildly with his teammates and later — draped with the South Korea flag — he saluted the fans in the stands.
The title guarantees Spurs a spot in next season’s Champions League and helps salvage a dismal season that sees the club languishing in 17th place in the Premier League ahead of the final round of fixtures.
“When you look at the whole season, there was always some situations where you’re having a tough time, but we as players always stuck together,” the 32-year-old Son said.
“The young players always stepped up. I always tried to give them good advice, speak positively. I’m very lucky I have such an amazing group of players with me.”
Only a few weeks ago, Son was congratulating Harry Kane, his former Tottenham teammate. Kane finally won the first trophy of his career after leaving Spurs and joining Bayern Munich.
Son and Kane had teamed up for one of the best attacking partnerships in the Premier League, setting each other up for more goals than any other attacking duo in the competition. Kane had to move to Bayern to finally earn his first trophy. But Son was able to do it while still with Spurs.
Son and Kane were together when Tottenham lost the 2019 Champions League final to Liverpool in another all-English decider. Son is the only starter from that match who is still at Tottenham.
“I felt the pressure,” Son said. “I wanted it so badly. The last seven days I was dreaming about this game every single day. It finally happened and I can sleep easy now and I can enjoy it.
“Today’s the day we can celebrate so let’s just make it one we will never forget and maybe I will miss the flight tomorrow!”
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.