Son Heung-min (Tottenham) has reached the final stage. However, opinions are divided over whether he will be in the starting lineup. Considering he has only recently returned, can he truly stand at the center of Bilbao, Spain?

Tottenham Hotspur will play against Manchester United at the San Mames in Spain on the 22nd (Korean time) in the 2024-2025 UEFA Europa League final. Both teams have struggled at the bottom of the Premier League this season but are facing a crucial match for the European trophy.

The stage is set, and the spotlight is on Son Heung-min. The question is about his mode of participation. It remains unclear whether he will start or come off the bench, as he has not been back for long.

Son Heung-min was sidelined for about a month due to an injury last month. He missed approximately seven matches after the first leg of the quarterfinals against Eintracht Frankfurt and made his return last week as a substitute in the match against Crystal Palace. It was a short appearance of about 32 minutes. He then returned to the starting lineup in the match against Aston Villa, playing for 74 minutes, and concerns about his physical condition have eased slightly since then.

However, there are still concerns about his optimism for a starting appearance. The BBC analyzed, "Son Heung-min has just returned from injury, and there may be uncertainties in terms of performance and drive required for a high-intensity game like the final." They further noted, "It recalls the case of Harry Kane, who hastily participated after an injury in the UEFA Champions League final in 2019," adding, "A compromise seems to be that coming on as a substitute would be appropriate."

UEFA also displayed caution. In an official announcement of the projected starting lineup on its website, UEFA stated, "Son Heung-min is in recovery, making a starting position less likely, and Richarlison, Dominic Solanke, and Brennan Johnson could start in the attacking lineup."

On the other hand, Son Heung-min himself is confident about participating. In an interview with the club channel after the match against Aston Villa, he said, "I am ready to play. My legs feel better. I'm happy to fight on the ground with my teammates after a long time," adding, "It's not over yet. I believe we can definitely make it."

Manager Postecoglou also delivered a positive message. He stated, "Son Heung-min is available to play. He already started in the match against Aston Villa and is gradually regaining rhythm," adding, "He is ready to participate in the final." While he did not make a definitive statement, he affirmed that the captain's condition has come close to normal.

In this final, Son Heung-min will be competing for his first major club tournament trophy since his debut. He has left numerous goals and records but has not had a connection with a winner's trophy. If he can lead his team to victory in the final, Son Heung-min can transcend being a symbol of Tottenham and truly become a legend.

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