Son Heung-min (33, Tottenham Hotspur) has finally spoken up. It was a moment when he indicated that his return to the field was imminent.

On the 9th (Korean time), Son Heung-min shared a post on his social media story about reaching the UEFA Europa League final, leaving a brief message that read, "Good morning and see you soon on the pitch." The weight of this single sentence was considerable. Since it was the player himself, rather than the team or the coach, hinting at his return, Son Heung-min's message is interpreted as a more certain signal.

This marked the return of Son Heung-min, who had been silent for nearly a month due to injury. He had missed 7 consecutive official matches since sustaining an injury in the quarterfinal first leg of the UEFA Europa League last month. He attempted to return in the quarterfinal second leg against Eintracht Frankfurt but his pain recurred, and since then, he has been separated from team training, following a personal recovery program.

Tottenham managed to reach the final without Son Heung-min. On the 9th at the Asmira Stadium in Bodø, Norway, Tottenham defeated FK Bodø/Glimt 2-0 in the second leg of the UEFA Europa League semifinals, achieving a total victory of 5-1 on aggregate.

The final is set to be held on the 22nd against Manchester United in Bilbao, Spain. This will be a once-in-a-lifetime stage for Son Heung-min to fight for his first trophy in his career.

The question of his return has been mentioned multiple times by coach Ange Postecoglou. He noted, "I am training, but it is still impossible for me to train with the team," taking a cautious stance. However, with the emergence of Son Heung-min's message, the possibility of his return has significantly increased. The injury information site "Premier Injury" has identified the expected date of Son Heung-min's return as the match against Crystal Palace on the 11th, just 11 days before the final.

Expectations are also rising locally. Paul O'Keefe of "Give Me Sport" reported, "I heard that Son Heung-min is set to play in the final," while "Tottenham Hotspur News" emphasized his value as a tactical card, stating, "Son Heung-min is a player who can create magical moments."

Of course, there are also risks involved. The narrative of a 'final return' could become a double-edged sword. The current situation is reminiscent of the 2019 UEFA Champions League final. At that time, Tottenham benched Lucas Moura, who dramatically led the team to the semifinals against AFC Ajax, and started Harry Kane, who had returned from injury. The result was a 0-2 loss. Kane was ineffective throughout the match, and Moura was brought to tears. Coach Mauricio Pochettino's reliance on 'presence' ultimately became a critical miscalculation.

Son Heung-min is different from Kane back then. He is not just a simple ace but a symbol of the team and a mental leader. His absence was not as long as that of Kane at the time. However, starting him in the final as a player returning from a certain amount of time away presents a significant risk. Tactical flow, physical balance, and game sense; the return itself as 'insertion' can act as another variable. This is why his participation in the match against Crystal Palace on the 11th is necessary.

Son Heung-min is a different type of player than Kane. Even if he does not start, he can be utilized as a substitute in the second half and provide diversity to the attack. Most importantly, he is a captain who can exert his presence "off the field." Experience, dedication, and leadership are weapons that cannot be evaluated numerically.

This final has special significance for Son Heung-min. For someone who has never experienced victory, it presents a golden opportunity to shed the label of 'the king of no titles.' For Tottenham, who have suffered for a staggering 17 years without a trophy since the 2008 League Cup, it could also be a historic turning point.

Of course, there are still many variables. One must consider whether Son Heung-min can elevate his physical condition enough to play, the tactics the team will employ, and that the opponent is none other than the experienced Manchester United.

One thing is clear: Son Heung-min is ready to return, and Tottenham is waiting for him. The captain of Tottenham, Son Heung-min, is heading toward the final stage like the last piece of the puzzle.

[OSEN]