 |
| Reuters Yonhap News |
|
 |
| AP Yonhap News |
|
 |
| EPA Yonhap News |
|
The time for the showdown is imminent.
Tottenham's 'Captain' Son Heung-min is once again trying to win his first title. Tottenham will play the much-awaited 2024-2025 Europa League final against English Premier League (EPL) rival Manchester United at San Mames Stadium in Bilbao, Spain, at 4 a.m. on the 22nd (Korea time).
Son built his nest in Tottenham in August 2015. Ten years have passed. But he's crying at the casket. He was frustrated in the European Champions League (UCL) final in the 2018-2019 season and the League Cup final in the 2020-2021 season.
The last time Tottenham won was the 2007-2008 League Cup. In the case of the European match, he has not been able to form a relationship with the top for 41 years since winning the UEFA Cup, the predecessor of the Europa League in the 1983-1984 season.
There have been twists and turns this season. Son Heung-min also failed to avoid injury in the midst of a murderous schedule. In the first half of the season, a hamstring (back muscle of the thigh) injury came. Recently, he has been out of power for a month due to publication.
He disappeared after the first leg of the Europa League quarterfinals against Frankfurt on the 11th of last month. Son Heung-min missed seven matches, including four EPL matches and three Europa League matches. He returned in the 36th round of the EPL against Crystal Palace on the 11th, a month later. He warmed up as a substitute. In the 37th round of the EPL against Aston Villa on the 17th, he started for the first time in nine games and finished preparing to play in the Europa League final.
 |
| Reuters Yonhap News |
|
Son Heung-min attended an official press conference as the player's representative ahead of the match against Manchester United on the 21st. He "It's going to be a really special, historical moment. I've been here for 10 years, but I've never won a championship. I really want to lift the trophy this time"Tomorrow will be a big day for the club and the players as well as for me," he said.
He is ready for the presidential election in his physical condition. He has just returned from injury and played 70 minutes against Villa following his first game against Palace. I didn't expect to run that long, but I did well. Physically, I am ready to play. The players are also ready to play in the biggest game of the season."
Son Heung-min is the only player who started the UCL final six years ago. Ben Davies was named in the entry but failed to get on the ground. He said "Davis is still here, so please don't forget his dedication and hard work. If we win, it's going to be a really huge moment for both of us, and for the players," "I've always said, but if we win, we can change our mindset and change history. I hope we can continue to compete for another championship."
 |
| Reuters Yonhap News |
|
 |
| EPA Yonhap News |
|
Harry Kane (Bayern Munich) also appeared. Kane left Tottenham for Bayern Munich in the summer of 2023 to win the championship. When asked if he had talked to Kane ahead of the final, Son Heung-min said, "Of course everyone knows that Kane is 'Vep', and it was a great honor to play with him. After Kane won his first championship, we talked about the trophy. But Kane won't want to text me because he's already on vacation. Don't you have to text me? "I just focus on the players and myself, and Kane will be Tottenham's biggest fan tomorrow. I'm sure you'll support us even during your vacation," he stressed.
Tottenham earlier this year invoked the option of Son Heung-min's one-year extension, whose contract expires at the end of this season. Son Heung-min's contract period is until June next year. Son Heung-min said "The future is unknown. I could play in the Champions League next year, maybe even make it to the finals. The opportunity I have now is real. Tomorrow is the final. I won't think about anything else. It could be my last transfer, it could be another chance, but I just want to focus on winning and lifting trophies with the players."
When Son Heung-min plays in the Europa League final, he will be the first player in Asian soccer history to experience both the UCL and the Europa League final. If they win the Europa League, Tottenham will be able to reach the UCL next season. However, Tottenham is ranked 17th (38 points) in the EPL this season.
Son Heung-min said, `The situation our team is in right now is unacceptable. But it's not the time to think about that. We can turn a sluggish season in the league into one trophy."
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
