Son Heung-min (33, Tottenham Hotspur) is preparing to get back into form ahead of the Europa League final.

On the 9th (Korean time), Son Heung-min shared a post on his social media story about reaching the Europa League final, leaving a short message: "Good morning and see you soon on the pitch."

The weight of this single line is considerable. Since it is not the team or the coach but the player himself hinting at a return, Son's message is taken as a more definitive signal. Particularly, as the league is virtually over, it was a statement suggesting a clear aim for the Europa League final.

This marks the appearance of Son Heung-min, who had been silent for almost a month since his injury. He has missed 7 consecutive official games since being injured in the first leg of the quarterfinals last month. He attempted a return in the second leg against Eintracht Frankfurt, but the pain recurred, and since then he has been separated from team training and has been following a personal recovery program.

Tottenham has advanced to the final even without Son Heung-min. On the 9th, in the second leg of the Europa League semifinals held at Aspmyra Stadion in Bodø, Norway, Tottenham defeated FK Bodø/Glimt 2-0, achieving a convincing 5-1 aggregate victory over both legs. Now, the final will take place on the 22nd, where they will face Manchester United in Bilbao, Spain. It sets the stage for Son to fight for his first career trophy.

In a way, this is the most promising match for both Son Heung-min and Tottenham among all finals. Compared to facing Jürgen Klopp's Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League (UCL) final in the 2018-2019 season or Pep Guardiola's Manchester City in past league cup competitions, the opponent this time is relatively evenly matched.

The possibility of his return has been mentioned several times by coach Ange Postecoglou. He noted, "He is training, but it is still not possible for him to join team training," taking a cautious stance. However, with Son's message appearing, the likelihood of his return has increased. The injury information site 'Premier Injury' predicts Son Heung-min's expected return date to be the 11th for the match against Crystal Palace, which is 11 days before the final.

There is growing anticipation locally. Paul O'Keefe from 'Give Me Sport' reported, "I heard that Son Heung-min will be participating 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 risks involved. The prospect of a 'final return' could potentially be a poison. The current situation is reminiscent of the 2019 Champions League final. At that time, Tottenham benched Lucas Moura, who made a dramatic run to the semifinals against AFC Ajax, and started Harry Kane, who was returning from injury. The result was a 0-2 defeat. Kane was ineffective throughout the match, and Moura was in tears. Mauricio Pochettino's choice based on 'presence' ultimately became a fatal mistake.

Son Heung-min is different from Kane at that time. He is not just a simple ace but a symbol of the team and a mental leader. His absence has not been as long as Kane's. However, starting in the final as a player returning from a significant absence carries considerable risk. Tactical flow, physical balance, game sense, and the act of 'inserting' him, rather than just 'returning,' can all be variables. This is why his participation in the match against Crystal Palace (11th) is crucial.

Son Heung-min is a different type of player than Kane. Even if he doesn't start, he can be utilized as a substitute in the second half, adding variety to the attack. Above all, he is a captain who can demonstrate his presence 'off the pitch.' Experience, dedication, and leadership are weapons that cannot be quantified.

This final holds special significance for Son Heung-min. For someone who has never experienced a championship, this is an excellent opportunity to shed the label of 'the king of nothing.' It could also mark a historic turning point for Tottenham, which has suffered without a trophy for a staggering 17 years since the League Cup in 2008.

On the 11th, Tottenham will meet Crystal Palace in a home game for the 36th round of the 2024-2025 Premier League season at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England. Currently, Tottenham remains in 16th place with 38 points (11 wins, 5 draws, 19 losses). If they lose one more match, they will record 20 losses for the first time in the club's history since the Premier League's inception in 1992. In contrast, Palace is in 12th place with 46 points (11 wins, 13 draws, 11 losses).

On the eve of the match, positive news emerged from a pre-match press conference. It was regarding the potential return of Son Heung-min. Postecoglou said, "Everyone completed Thursday's training well. I am half hopeful that we can have Son play for a few minutes tomorrow. He is the only one who can truly return."

It would be better for him to regain his match sense in the league games rather than rushing back for the final. The Tottenham fan phase 'Hotspur HQ' also noted, "Son Heung-min could come on in the second half against Crystal Palace this weekend. He can start on the bench and come on in the second half to maintain his condition. He also needs to improve his fitness for the match against Villa."

[Photo] ⓒGettyimages (Unauthorized reproduction and redistribution prohibited), TNT Sports, Son Heung-min, B/R Football, IG Score social media.

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