Son Heung-min (33, Tottenham) is challenging for the UEFA Europa League title with "desperate passion." For him, this final might be a last chance that may never come again.

The Guardian reported on the 13th (Korean time) that "the biggest reason Son Heung-min has stayed at Tottenham for so long is that he wants to achieve a victory that others have not accomplished," and noted, "the feeling he expressed about this final is 'desperate passion.'

Tottenham will face Manchester United in the UEFA Europa League final to be held in Bilbao, Spain, on the 22nd. Son Heung-min is working to recover to full fitness due to an injury.

Since transferring to Tottenham from Bayer 04 Leverkusen in 2015, Son Heung-min has recorded 173 goals and is currently in 5th place on the club's all-time scoring list. The only players who have scored more goals than him are Harry Kane, Jimmy Greaves, Bobby Smith, and Martin Chivers.

Son Heung-min has played in two finals with Tottenham so far, but has lost both. He was defeated by Liverpool in the 2019 UEFA Champions League final and by Manchester City in the 2021 League Cup final. Tottenham's last victory was in the League Cup in 2008.

Son Heung-min's contract extension option with Tottenham was activated in January, leaving him under contract until 2026.

Son Heung-min said, "We have been talking about this moment for several years. The biggest reason I have stayed at Tottenham is that I wanted to achieve what others have not accomplished. I think the reason I am here now is probably due to that aspiration."

He continued, "In order to complete the puzzle, every piece is needed. I have already gathered all the other pieces needed to complete that puzzle. Over the past 10 years, I have been trying to find the most important last piece, and this time, I want to finally find that piece and complete the puzzle."

He emphasized about this final, "Every game is special and meaningful, but this final feels like an opportunity that may never come again. I really think this time is different. More than anyone else, I want to win the most. Many people are supporting us with a 'desperate passion' like mine. I believe that if we prepare well, we can certainly achieve it."

Recently, Son Heung-min watched his long-time teammate Kane win the Bundesliga title with Bayern Munich. This was Kane's first team title of his career.

Son Heung-min said, "I sent a message to Kane, and he replied immediately with a video call. Seeing him happy made me really glad."

He said, "Kane is one of my closest friends, and seeing a colleague achieve such great success is like a family member succeeding. I hope his positive energy is transmitted to Tottenham's final, and that we can also achieve a good result."

Son Heung-min made his return from injury by coming on as a substitute in the second half during the recent league match against Crystal Palace, where they lost 0-2, marking his first game back in a month. The Guardian noted, "He was able to return much earlier than expected by collaborating with his personal trainer, Ahn Deok-soo, and the Tottenham medical team."

Meanwhile, Ahn Deok-soo is Son Heung-min's personal trainer. He joined the team as an outsider during the 2022 Qatar World Cup, causing significant controversy. He was at the center of the so-called 'Room 2701 incident,' in which players received treatment based on the hotel room number. Due to demands from some players, the official medical team was excluded from their duties, leading to conflicts.

Subsequently, Ahn Deok-soo faced severe criticism for denying the association's medical team's diagnosis and making independent judgments that confused the players, as well as for interfering in their work without holding formal medical qualifications. During this process, he openly targeted the association's medical team on social media, but deleted the posts and maintained silence as the controversy spread. He continues to accompany Son Heung-min, but there has been no official explanation or apology regarding the incident.

Son Heung-min said, "I will always say that I’m okay to allow fans and everyone supporting me to watch the game comfortably. And I will actually be okay."

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