Tottenham Hotspur captain Son Heung-Min accepted the tag of Spurs legend, if just for in the future, after lifting the membership’s first trophy in 17 years following a victory in Wednesday’s Europa League closing.
Spurs beat Manchester United 1-0 in Bilbao, Spain, because of Brennan Johnson’s first-half objective. It was the north London membership’s first title because it received the English League Cup in 2008 and first European triumph because it received its second UEFA Cup — the equal of the Europa League now — in 1984.
The trophy was additionally the primary that Son, who joined Tottenham 10 years in the past, has received in his membership profession. His solely earlier silverware got here in successful the Asian Video games with South Korea in 2018.
Having mentioned firstly of this season that he wished to go down as a Spurs legend however did not but really feel entitled to that honour, Son was requested following the victory if he now considers himself worthy.
“As an instance I am a legend. Why not? Solely at the moment!” Son informed TNT Sports activities.
“Seventeen years no one has finished it, so with such wonderful gamers yeah at the moment’s the day. In all probability at the moment I’ll say I am a legend of this membership.
“I really feel wonderful. That is what I’ve all the time dreamed for and at the moment is the day it occurred. Dream got here actually, actually true. I am so so completely happy. I’m the happiest man on the planet.”
Son only in the near past returned from a foot damage and got here off the bench in Wednesday’s closing within the 67th minute. After the ultimate whistle, he celebrated wildly along with his teammates and later — draped with the South Korea flag — he saluted the followers within the stands.
The title ensures Spurs a spot in subsequent season’s Champions League and helps salvage a dismal season that sees the membership languishing in seventeenth place within the Premier League forward of the ultimate spherical of fixtures.
“Whenever you take a look at the entire season, there was all the time some conditions the place you are having a troublesome time, however we as gamers all the time caught collectively,” the 32-year-old Son mentioned.
“The younger gamers all the time stepped up. I all the time tried to offer them good recommendation, communicate positively. I am very fortunate I’ve such an incredible group of gamers with me.”
Just a few weeks in the past, Son was congratulating Harry Kane, his former Tottenham teammate. Kane lastly received the primary trophy of his profession after leaving Spurs and becoming a member of Bayern Munich.
Son and Kane had teamed up for top-of-the-line attacking partnerships within the Premier League, setting one another up for extra targets than another attacking duo within the competitors. Kane needed to transfer to Bayern to lastly earn his first trophy. However Son was in a position to do it whereas nonetheless with Spurs.
Son and Kane had been collectively when Tottenham misplaced the 2019 Champions League closing to Liverpool in one other all-English decider. Son is the one starter from that match who remains to be at Tottenham.
“I felt the strain,” Son mentioned. “I wished it so badly. The final seven days I used to be dreaming about this sport each single day. It lastly occurred and I can sleep straightforward now and I can get pleasure from it.
“At present’s the day we are able to have fun so let’s simply make it one we’ll always remember and possibly I’ll miss the flight tomorrow!”
Data from The Related Press was used on this report.
