Tottenham Hotspur captain Son Heung-Min accepted the tag of Spurs legend, if just for in the future, after lifting the membership’s first trophy in 17 years following a victory in Wednesday’s Europa League ultimate.
Spurs beat Manchester United 1-0 in Bilbao, Spain, because of Brennan Johnson‘s first-half aim. It was the north London membership’s first title because it received the English League Cup in 2008 and first European triumph because it received its second UEFA Cup — the equal of the Europa League now — in 1984.
The trophy was additionally the primary that Son, who joined Tottenham 10 years in the past, has received in his membership profession. His solely earlier silverware got here in profitable the Asian Video games with South Korea in 2018.
Having mentioned in the beginning of this season that he wished to go down as a Spurs legend however did not but really feel entitled to that honour, Son was requested following the victory if he now considers himself worthy.
“To illustrate I am a legend. Why not? Solely right this moment!” Son informed TNT Sports activities.
“Seventeen years no person has finished it, so with such superb gamers yeah right this moment’s the day. In all probability right this moment I’ll say I am a legend of this membership.
“I really feel superb. That is what I’ve at all times dreamed for and right this moment is the day it occurred. Dream got here actually, actually true. I am so so blissful. I’m the happiest man on the planet.”
Son only in the near past returned from a foot damage and got here off the bench in Wednesday’s ultimate within the 67th minute. After the ultimate whistle, he celebrated wildly together with his teammates and later — draped with the South Korea flag — he saluted the followers within the stands.
The title ensures Spurs a spot in subsequent season’s Champions League and helps salvage a dismal season that sees the membership languishing in seventeenth place within the Premier League forward of the ultimate spherical of fixtures.
“Once you take a look at the entire season, there was at all times some conditions the place you are having a troublesome time, however we as gamers at all times caught collectively,” the 32-year-old Son mentioned.
“The younger gamers at all times stepped up. I at all times tried to offer them good recommendation, converse positively. I am very fortunate I’ve such an incredible group of gamers with me.”
Just a few weeks in the past, Son was congratulating Harry Kane, his former Tottenham teammate. Kane lastly received the primary trophy of his profession after leaving Spurs and becoming a member of Bayern Munich.
Son and Kane had teamed up for among the finest attacking partnerships within the Premier League, setting one another up for extra targets than every other attacking duo within the competitors. Kane needed to transfer to Bayern to lastly earn his first trophy. However Son was in a position to do it whereas nonetheless with Spurs.
Son and Kane have been collectively when Tottenham misplaced the 2019 Champions League ultimate to Liverpool in one other all-English decider. Son is the one starter from that match who continues to be at Tottenham.
“I felt the stress,” Son mentioned. “I wished it so badly. The final seven days I used to be dreaming about this sport each single day. It lastly occurred and I can sleep straightforward now and I can take pleasure in it.
“At present’s the day we are able to have a good time so let’s simply make it one we are going to always remember and perhaps I’ll miss the flight tomorrow!”
Info from The Related Press was used on this report.