Son Heung-min calls himself Tottenham legend after Europa League triumph

Son Heung-min celebrates after Tottenham Hotspur beat Manchester United 1-0 in the Europa League final at San Mames Stadium, Bilbao, Spain on May 21, 2025. Photo by Reuters

At the start of the season, the South Korean striker humbly stated that he aspired to be considered a Tottenham legend but did not yet feel worthy of the title. However, following the historic win at San Mamés, Son changed his tune.

"Let's say I'm a legend. Why not? Just for today!" he told TNT Sports with a big smile.

Tottenham secured the title thanks to Brennan Johnson’s decisive goal in the 42nd minute. The win not only brought home Spurs’ first European trophy since the 1984 UEFA Cup but also ended their long wait for silverware, with their last major title being the 2008 League Cup.

The Europa League crown is also the first club title in Son’s professional football career. Until now, his only major achievement was the 2018 Asian Games gold medal with the South Korea national team. After the final whistle, Son celebrated passionately with his teammates before wrapping himself in the South Korean flag and greeting the fans.

"Seventeen years, nobody has done it - so today, with these amazing players, we're probably legends of the club," Son continued. "This is what I've always dreamed of. Today is the day it happened. I’m the happiest man in the world."

After the match, UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin presented medals to the players. However, when it was Son’s turn, after Cristian Romero and Rodrigo Bentancur, UEFA had run out of medals. According to The Sun, eight referees also received medals, contributing to the shortage. Ceferin was seen speaking to Son, possibly congratulating him while also offering an apology, before handing him the trophy.

The 32-year-old captain was not fazed by the mishap and expressed his excitement about returning to London to celebrate with fans.

"I felt the pressure, I wanted it so badly, the last seven games I was dreaming," he added. "I am going to miss the flight. Today is the day they can celebrate. Maybe we can call the Brighton game off."

Son is considered South Korea's most iconic footballer and is widely regarded as the greatest Asian football player of all time. He has been named Asian Footballer of the Year eight times and has scored 51 goals in 133 appearances for the national team since 2010.

In 2022, he made history by becoming the first Asian player to win the Premier League Golden Boot, sharing the honor with Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah.