After leading Tottenham to Europa League glory, Heung-min Son shares an emotional admission: “I stayed here because I wanted to do something special.”
Over 60 former Tottenham Hotspur players have departed N17 in the last two decades and gone on to lift silverware elsewhere, underlining just how long the club’s wait for a major trophy had dragged on.
However, amid the revolving door of exits and arrivals, one figure has remained steadfast in his commitment to the Lilywhites.
Heung-min Son has been a constant presence in the squad for ten years, weathering managerial upheavals and title near misses, despite having the ability to walk into some of Europe’s top sides.
In that time, Son has chased a moment that always seemed to dance just out of reach. But on Wednesday, 21 May, inside the San Mames Stadium in Bilbao, Tottenham Hotspur finally conquered Europe again.
Heung-min Son opens up on Europa League win with Tottenham
Spurs secured their third-ever UEFA Europa League trophy with a 1-0 win over Manchester United, and it was club captain Heung-min Son who hoisted the trophy high into the Bilbao night under the floodlights.
It was a landmark moment in the club’s modern history, and for Son, it was an indelible chapter added to his own legacy at Spurs.
A player so often at the heart of Tottenham’s best moments now finds himself cemented among the greatest to wear the armband.
After the full-time whistle, an emotional Heung-min Son gave a candid interview on the club’s official X account, opening up about what it was like to win a trophy with Tottenham after years of trying.
He said: “We did it. I cannot believe that we did it. A trophy – I have said a couple of times I stayed here because I wanted to do something special, and today we did something special that people will never forget. Happy moments – let us just celebrate.”
Son was also asked if doubt ever crossed his mind in the build-up to the final. He replied, “No, I never doubted, and obviously we had some tough games, but I always believed that we could win this tournament, and today is the final day that we lift it.
“I mean, credit to all the boys – they were outstanding from day one. I may not be the best captain that they have had, but the boys were so respectful and so kind, and I am lucky to have such an amazing group behind me, supporting me. I am the happiest guy in the world.”
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Heung-min Son reflects on legendary status after lifting Europa League
Heung-min Son has already made his claim for legendary status in north London after captaining Tottenham Hotspur to a first major honour in 17 years.
When asked whether he had considered what it means to be a club legend, the Spurs forward offered a typically heartfelt response.
He continued: “I will never forget – I mean, I scored the first goal in the stadium, being captain of this club, winning the Europa League – I mean, what can I say?
“This memory… in ten years, I did special things that I would never, ever forget, and I am so, so happy. I am all over the moon.”
Now with a major trophy finally secured, the 32-year-old will hope this moment represents the start of a more fruitful era at Tottenham.
With the UEFA Super Cup on the horizon in three months, there is a fresh opportunity to add another piece of silverware to the collection.