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| ReutersYonhap News |
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| ReutersYonhap News |
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Son Heung-min finally won his first professional title, relieving his sorrow.
Tottenham won the Europa League (UEL) final 1-0 against Manchester United in the 2024-2025 season at Estadio San Mames in Bilbao, Spain on the 22nd (Korea time). Brennan Johnson's winning goal in the 42nd minute of the first half decided the game. Tottenham, which maintained its defense until the end of the second half, secured a one-goal gap and achieved the championship.
Tottenham beat Manchester United and added a trophy for the first time in 17 seasons since winning the League Cup in the 2007-2008 season. With this victory, he also confirmed his advance to the European Champions League (UCL) next season.
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| ReutersYonhap News |
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Son Heung-min did not start the game on the day. I watched the game by putting my name on the replacement list and waited for the second half. In the 21st minute of the second half, when Tottenham was leading 1-0, Hishalisson collapsed due to injury, and Son Heung-min replaced him. Son Heung-min did not make an impressive performance or score by playing 33 minutes, including extra time, but he contributed to the victory by playing to protect the team's victory.
After winning the championship, Son Heung-min was seen hugging his vice-captain Madison and shedding tears. It was not a tear with a sad meaning that had been shed in a situation where he had not achieved the championship, but a tear of joy that relieved all his anger.
In the trophy ceremony after the game, he was the first to play as captain. Son Heung-min, who last won a medal, accepted the trophy and stood in front of the team. Son Heung-min, who smiled with the team, lifted the trophy with a smile of joy and cheered. When Son Heung-min lifted the trophy once again, Tottenham's squad celebrated the victory by raising their arms above their heads with loud cheers.
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| ReutersYonhap News |
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Son Heung-min is considered the best player of all time in Asia. He became the first Asian player to become the top scorer in the English Premier League (EPL) and won the FIFA Puskas Award and nine best footballer Asian Awards, creating an overwhelming career. Even in Tottenham, it is already 'Living Legend'. Prior to the match, Tottenham accumulated a tremendous record with 173 goals and 101 assists in 451 games.
Son Heung-min said, "The only puzzle piece that he lacks in his professional career is winning. Therefore, this game was an even more desperate opportunity for Son Heung-min to win. Starting with Hamburg in the German Bundesliga, he has played the best stages in the world, including EPL, UCL, and FIFA World Cup, but has never been at the top.
It's not that there hasn't been a chance. The first opportunity was the European Champions League in the 2018-2019 season. At that time, Tottenham seemed to be the hero of the miracle by dramatically beating Ajax in the semifinals and reaching the final. However, he was frustrated after losing to Liverpool in the final. There was also a second chance. He reached the final of the League Cup in the 2020-2021 season. But it was blocked by Manchester City. Both chances ended in second place and wept.
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| AFP Yonhap News |
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Son Heung-min had not hidden his will to win the championship ahead of this final. In an interview ahead of this final, "The reason I stayed at Tottenham was because I wanted to do things that others could not do. You need all the pieces to make a puzzle. I think I got all the pieces right, but I think I'm missing the last one, which is the most important in the end. I wandered around for 10 years in search of the piece. I wish I could do the puzzle this time" expressed a strong desire to win.
He was determined not to miss the opportunity to not come back. Son Heung-min said, `I think this game is an opportunity that will never come back. I think all the focus should be on the game and I think I should focus a lot and make my physical condition accordingly. I hope you don't regret it this time. For the fans who really want it more than me, I want to give a great gift to Korean fans and Tottenham fans when we go back to Korea after the season," he added.
The process to the final was not easy either. Son Heung-min had a difficult time this season due to poor performance and injury. Recently, he has not been able to play the game properly due to his injuries. Ahead of the final, he made a dramatic comeback and seized the opportunity to confirm his own victory. He burned his will to play in the chance to win, which could be his last.
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| AFP Yonhap News |
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Tottenham's status itself has changed, achieving a great achievement of winning Tottenham, which even Harry Kane could not achieve. Spurs Webb also said, `Son Heung-min can become a legend through the Europa League final,' adding, `Son Heung-min is already one of the greatest players in the club's history. Now, if he wins the trophy as captain, he will remain the best player in Tottenham. This victory effectively leaves Son Heung-min as one of the greatest players in Tottenham's history.
Son Heung-min won his first trophy after 17 years of military service. With tears of joy, I shook off all my resentments, adding two letters 'Winning' to my career.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
