Son Heung-min earns legend status at Tottenham after UEL triumph

Son Heung-min (33) has been acknowledged as a legend of Tottenham Hotspur.

Tottenham Hotspur lost 1-4 to Brighton & Hove Albion in the final match of the 2024-2025 English Premier League's 38th round held at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England, on the 26th (Korean time).

As a result, Tottenham's final standings for the season are 11 wins, 5 draws, and 22 losses, with 38 points and a goal difference of -1 (64 goals scored, 65 goals conceded). Tottenham finished the season in 17th place in the Premier League, the worst performance in the club's history. The previous low record was 15th in the 1993-1994 season.

The record for the most losses in a single season has also been set. Until the establishment of the Premier League in 1992, the last time a team in the 38-game system recorded 20 losses was in the 1912-1913 season, but this time, two more losses were added. 22 losses tie for the most losses in a single season in the club's history, including all 42-game systems.

Tottenham's poor performance until the end has fueled speculation about the dismissal of manager Ange Postecoglou. The team had won the UEFA Europa League (UEL), breaking a 17-year trophy drought, but due to their severe struggles in the league, the possibility of parting ways at the end of this season has increased. Disappointed fans booed when club chairman Daniel Levy appeared on screen.

However, after defeating Manchester United on the 22nd and lifting the long-awaited trophy, the loss was not that significant for Tottenham. Son Heung-min, along with the Tottenham squad, enjoyed the championship celebration once again after the match.

Captain Son Heung-min was the first to emerge from the field with the UEL trophy, receiving applause from the club's legends. Members who had won the UEFA Cup, the predecessor of UEL, in the 1983-1984 season personally presented the 'guard of honor' to the juniors. Although Son Heung-min had already celebrated right after the victory and in a victory parade in London, he could hardly let go of the trophy that day.

Son Heung-min greeted fans while receiving congratulations from legendary Tottenham seniors, such as Steve Perryman, Martin Chivers, and Osvaldo Ardiles. He did not hand the trophy over to vice-captain James Maddison until after he had soaked in the joy of victory with the crowd.

Tottenham also did not care about the match result. The club posted a video on social media of Son Heung-min sitting at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, gazing happily at the UEL trophy, and captioned it "true legend." He received exceptional treatment as captain until the last match.

On the 23rd, Tottenham officially recognized Son Heung-min as a genuine legend. Since the club was founded in 1882, there have only been three club captains, including Son Heung-min, who have held the UEL trophy. The past winners were Allan Mullery in the 1971-1972 season and Perryman in the 1983-1984 season.

Son Heung-min has now joined the list of great captains in Tottenham’s history. The club highlighted through its social media that Mullery, Perryman, and Son Heung-min are in an elite group of Tottenham captains who have lifted European trophies.

Son Heung-min also now refers to himself as a 'legend.' During the season, he expressed that he was not yet a legend and wanted to be called one after winning at Tottenham.

However, after finally achieving his dream, Son Heung-min smiled and responded that he would consider himself a legend when asked if he now feels like one after the final, saying, "I will call myself a legend. At least for today." He added, "There have been many great players over the last 17 years, but no one has achieved this. I think today is when I can finally call myself a Tottenham legend."

Meanwhile, as Son Heung-min has achieved something that even Harry Kane could not, it seems likely that he will continue with Tottenham. Some claim that he may choose to part ways at the end of this season. The Guardian reported, "This summer may be the most appropriate time for Son Heung-min and Tottenham to part ways. A contract extension may also be a procedure to secure a transfer fee."

However, Peter O'Rourke from Football Insider asserted, "Tottenham will not sell Son Heung-min. He still has work to do at Tottenham. Tottenham will likely want to retain the experienced Son Heung-min in preparation for the UEFA Champions League."

He also noted, "Of course, it wasn’t the best season for Son Heung-min. The reason he didn’t start in the UEL final might have been due to his lack of form. It may have also been burdensome for the manager to put him in an important game since he had just returned from injury." However, he added, "Tottenham extended Son Heung-min's contract by one year last January, which expires after the 2025-2026 season. His experience will be needed ahead of their return to the Champions League."

The Tottenham fan community 'Hotspur HQ' also stated, "Tottenham does not plan to accept any offers for Son Heung-min in this summer transfer window. The policy is to keep him for next season." They noted, "Internally, the club still sees Son Heung-min as the centerpiece. They are also considering signing star players who can play alongside him."

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