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| Reuters Yonhap News |
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| Reuters Yonhap News |
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| Reuters Yonhap News |
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Son Heung-min (33, Tottenham) opened a new chapter in Asian soccer beyond South Korea in the English Premier League (EPL) following the German Bundesliga. He was the first Asian player to play the EPL 'Golden Boot '.
But there was no last piece that mattered the most. It's 'Winning ' Fifteen years after his professional debut, he spent ten years searching for this piece at Tottenham. There have been two failures. He was frustrated in the European Champions League final (2018-2019 season) and the League Cup final (2020-2021 season).
I was put to the test once again. It is the Europa League final of the 2024-2025 season. Ahead of the showdown, Son Heung-min said, `The reason why I remain at Tottenham, the reason why I want to do things that others have not been able to do.' `We need the last piece, which is the most important, to complete the puzzle. I wish I could get it right"I vowed.
Of course, the two failures were nourishing. He "There was something I learned clearly from the failure. It is important to pass on my experience to the players." Then "It feels different. I want to win. A lot of people are rooting for you. I'm sure we can achieve it."
Son Heung-min finally succeeded in conquering the top. Tottenham won the Europa League final against EPL rival United at San Mames Stadium in Bilbao, Spain on the 22nd (Korea time) with Brennan Johnson's winning goal.
Son Heung-min lifted the trophy as captain. Son Heung-min, wearing the national flag, shed tears of joy. He also hugged his father and mother who came down to the ground.
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| Reuters Yonhap News |
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| Reuters Yonhap News |
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Tottenham kissed the trophy for the first time in 17 years since reaching the top of the League Cup in the 2007-2008 season. In the case of the European match, it was the first time in 41 years since winning the UEFA Cup, the predecessor of the Europa League in the 1983-1984 season. Son Heung-min finally broke Tottenham's winning drought. Ten years of dedication at Tottenham was finally rewarded with a win.
Son Heung-min, who met Sports Chosun in the 'Mix Zone' when asked how he felt about winning the championship, said, `I hope we can all enjoy it together" he said. Let's ask him how he felt when he lifted the trophy. "It was really heavy. It was very heavy," he smiled.
In the atmosphere of the festival, there was a `Tee in the Jade.' Son Heung-min, Rodrigo Bentancourt and Christian Romero, who stood at the end of the UEFA championship medal, did not receive it. Son Heung-min said, `Now I've got it. There were too many players, so I couldn't get it earlier."
As soon as the championship was confirmed, Bentancourt was the first to approach Son Heung-min and embrace him. Son Heung-min said, `No one can celebrate Bentancourt more than you, and I really liked it, but all the players really liked it like it was their job"So I really felt better. It was a day where I could feel once again that I was still an inspiration as a soccer player. It's nice to win, but I think these things really make me feel better."
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| 토트넘 SNS |
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| AP Yonhap News |
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He disappeared after the first leg of the Europa League quarterfinals against Frankfurt on the 11th of last month. It was a foot injury and missed seven matches, including four EPL matches and three Europa League matches.
Son Heung-min returned to action in the 36th round of the EPL against Crystal Palace on Wednesday, the first time in a month. 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 matches and prepared for the Europa League final.
But he was not in his normal physical condition. He was excluded from the starting lineup on the day. Hishalisson took the place of the left wing forward. Son Heung-min was substituted in the 22nd minute of the second half and played about 30 minutes, including 7 minutes of extra time.
Son Heung-min said, `The injury is not completely better yet. Just for this game, came back really fast and said it wasn't as serious an injury as I thought it would be, but it wasn't anything like that. For me, in a way, I'm very happy to be able to play the most important game in my life today."
And "Of course I want to score a goal, but it's more important to win in the end. In a way, the biggest goal is for the players to win, so I think everyone has given up their personal greed"Like me, today I think I was trying to think more about how the team could win than my personal greed and put it into practice again."
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| Reuters Yonhap News |
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| Reuters Yonhap News |
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It was the first European finale in six years since the 2019 UCL final. Son Heung-min seems to play with the idea that he is always the best and that he can always win. Thanks to you, it was a fun day, a happy day, and an unforgettable day.'
He also "It was an amazing feeling. It really felt like a dream came true. The hard work and dedication I have put into my life has finally paid off. I was really, really happy. I felt like I was the luckiest person in the world and the happiest person in the world."
About the future of coach Enze Postecoglou "The coach won the trophy. You've done what no one has ever done. Of course, it's not my decision, it's not the players' decision. But we should pay attention to that fact. It's the first win in 17 years, and the coach is the one who lifted the trophy. We'll see what happens in the future," he stressed.
Following the final EPL match against Brighton on the 26th, Son Heung-min will prepare for two consecutive A matches in June. Regarding his next goal, he said, `Of course, the most important thing is for the national team to go to the World Cup. My goal is to always improve and work with the team and always try to be a player who fights against difficult paths"Once again, I would like to sincerely thank the soccer fans and the Korean people for playing the biggest role in solving a really perfect puzzle. I will continue to be Son Heung-min, a soccer player who will always do his best and give you joy."
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
