Son Heung-min (33, Tottenham Hotspur) has finally filled a void in his career. After 15 years, he achieved a victory in a club competition, something he had never experienced since his professional debut, and he has obtained his first trophy after a long wait.

Tottenham defeated Manchester United 1-0 in the 2024-2025 UEFA Europa League final held at San Mames in Bilbao, Spain, on the 22nd.

Tottenham lifted a trophy for the first time in 17 years since the 2007-2008 League Cup in the club's history. Additionally, they secured qualification for the next season’s UEFA Champions League.

This match was also a very symbolic moment for Son Heung-min. He made his professional debut with Hamburger SV in the Bundesliga in Germany in 2010 and has been active with Tottenham since 2015 after stints with Bayer Leverkusen. However, despite numerous challenges for championships during this time, he had always fallen short.

Son reached major finals, including second place in the Premier League (2016-17), second place in the UEFA Champions League (2018-19), and second place in the EFL Cup (2020-21), but he could not cross the threshold to victory. The only championship Son had previously experienced was a gold medal at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta-Palembang.

This Europa League victory is the first trophy Son has clinched in his club career. At the same time, he became the second Korean player to lift the trophy in this tournament, following former coach Cha Bum-kun, who won the UEFA Cup (the predecessor of the Europa League) while with Frankfurt in 1980 and 1988.

The biggest focus ahead of the match was whether Son Heung-min would start. Recently recovering from a foot injury, Son had checked his match fitness by playing about 30 minutes against Crystal Palace and over 70 minutes against Aston Villa. Local media were divided on his starting status, and ultimately, head coach Ange Postecoglou decided to bench Son for the match.

Tottenham used Richarlison as the center forward, and Son was substituted in for Richarlison in the 67th minute. After coming on, Son sought opportunities to attack with his characteristic diligent movements, and in the 81st minute, he spotted a chance for a shot during a counterattack but was blocked by the opposing defense, missing the opportunity. In the 85th minute, he took a free kick, demonstrating active participation till the end.

The championship goal in the final came in the first half. Tottenham took the lead with an own goal from the opponent and managed to hold on to a 1-0 victory against Manchester United. Son celebrated after witnessing the goal from the bench and enjoyed the moment of victory with his teammates after the final whistle.

This trophy not only marked a personal achievement for Son Heung-min but also quenched the thirst of Tottenham, which had endured a long period without silverware. After the match, he draped the Korean flag over his shoulders and shed tears. In particular, as the club's captain, Son has been a significant figure, leading the team for a long time both internally and externally.

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