Now, no one can refute this. 'Legend' Son Heung-min (33, Tottenham Hotspur) was alongside legends who will remain in the club's history.

Tottenham announced on the 26th (Korean time) through the club's website that 'Son Heung-min received a warm welcome from some of the greatest players in history, including Steve Perryman, Pat Jennings, Martin Chivers, and Graham Roberts. He lifted the championship trophy he last held in 1984.'

On the same day, Tottenham lost 1-4 to Brighton & Hove Albion in the final match of the Premier League, 38th round for the 2024-2025 season, held at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England.

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

They also set a new record for the most losses in a single season. Before the 1992 Premier League's inception, the last time a team recorded 20 losses in a 38-match format was during the 1912-1913 season, but this time they added two more losses. 22 losses tie for the most in a season in the club's history, even considering the 42-match format.

However, for Tottenham, who lifted the trophy they had long been waiting for, the result of the match on that day was not that important. On the 22nd, Tottenham defeated Manchester United to claim the UEFA Europa League (UEL) title, ending a 17-year trophy drought since their League Cup victory in the 2007-2008 season. Son Heung-min also finally achieved his first title in his life.

After the match against Brighton, Son Heung-min and the Tottenham squad celebrated their victory once more. Captain Son Heung-min was the first to enter the field holding the UEL trophy amidst the applause from the club legends.

The members who won the UEFA Cup, the predecessor of UEL, in the 1983-1984 season presented the 'Guard of Honor' to their juniors. Although Son Heung-min had already enjoyed the victory celebration right after the title win and the victory parade in London, he still did not part with the trophy that day. Despite weighing 15 kg, making it the heaviest trophy among UEFA trophies, it was no problem for him.

Son Heung-min was congratulated by the legendary Tottenham alumni as he greeted the fans. After thoroughly enjoying the joy of victory with the spectators, he handed the trophy to vice-captain James Maddison.

Tottenham also released a video of Son Heung-min proudly holding the old and new championship trophies alongside Perryman, Chivers, and Osvaldo Ardiles. They noted, 'Everywhere you look, it's filled with legends.'

The British outlet 'Football London' highlighted, 'Despite being absent from the match due to injury, Son Heung-min led the team onto the field for the 'Lap of Honor.' As the club captain, it was the natural thing to do. And he ran to the southern stand, celebrating as he lifted the 100th trophy.'

The outlet added, 'Afterward, Son Heung-min left his teammates in the southern stand and moved toward the tunnel. There, he shook hands with all the Tottenham legends who opened the Guard of Honor. That was not the end. Son Heung-min stayed to applaud the fans who remained to celebrate with the players as he made a lap of the ground.'

Son Heung-min has undeniably ascended to the status of 'living legend' of Tottenham. Since Tottenham was founded in 1882, there have only been three club captains, including Son Heung-min, who have lifted the UEL trophy. Previous winners were Alan Mullery in the 1971-1972 season and Steve Perryman in the 1983-1984 season.

Son Heung-min is now the third to join the illustrious list of captains in Tottenham history. Tottenham shared a picture on their social media showing Mullery, Perryman, and Son Heung-min with the trophy, writing, 'Son Heung-min has joined the elite group of Tottenham captains who have lifted European trophies. A recognized Tottenham legend.'

Son Heung-min now also refers to himself as a 'legend.' He noted during the season that he wasn't yet a legend and expressed his desire to win at Tottenham and be called a legend.

But finally realizing his dream, Son Heung-min responded with a smile to the question of whether he feels like he has become a Tottenham legend after finishing the final, saying, 'I will call myself a legend. At least for today.' He also added, 'There have been many great players in the last 17 years, but none have achieved this. Today, I feel like I can finally call myself a Tottenham legend.'

[Photo] ⓒGetty Images (Unauthorized reproduction and redistribution prohibited), Tottenham, Sky Sports.

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