Son Heung-min: The boy from Chuncheon who conquered Europe
SHAH ALAM – For 15 long years, Son Heung-min pursued trophies across Europe's premier leagues, enduring heartbreaks, injuries and close calls.
His journey finally came full circle on a dazzling night in Bilbao, Spain. Tottenham Hotspur's South Korean forward Son Heung-min is challenged by Manchester United's Ivorian forward #16 Amad Diallo during the UEFA Europa League final football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at San Mames stadium in Bilbao on May 21, 2025. (Photo by CESAR MANSO / AFP)
The South Korean superstar, wrapped in the Taegeukgi and roaring with joy, finally stood tall, not just as Tottenham Hotspur's captain, but as a champion.
There is a quiet poetry in how football writes its stories. For Son Heung-min, the script was long and winding, stitched with near-glories and personal battles. But under the floodlights of San Mames Stadium, with a gold medal around his neck and a glittering UEFA Europa League trophy in his hands, Son finally rewrote his ending.
Tottenham Hotspur edged past Manchester United 1-0 on Wednesday night to clinch their first major title in 17 years and their first European silverware since 1984.
The night belonged to Welshman Brennan Johnson, who netted the only goal of the match in the 42nd minute, capitalising on a cross from Pape Sarr that deflected off Luke Shaw.
It was a tense, dramatic affair where Spurs had to survive wave after wave of Manchester United attacks.
Micky van de Ven made a goal-line clearance in the 68th minute that left hearts in mouths, and goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario pulled off a miraculous stop in the dying seconds to preserve the victory.
Even as the match itself raged with tactical tension, all eyes were inevitably drawn to one man: Son Heung-min.
After being sidelined with a foot injury for most of the Europa League knockout stages, including the quarterfinals and semifinals, Son was deemed physically ready ahead of the final by BBC Sport. Yet manager
Ange Postecoglou made a strategic call to keep him on the bench.
'He is fit enough to make the squad, but not quite sharp enough to make the lineup,' Postecoglou said.
That did not stop Son from making a profound impact. Substituted in for Richarlison in the 67th minute, he brought calm and leadership to a Spurs side desperate to hold on.
When the final whistle blew, it was Son who had the honour of receiving the trophy from UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin. Tottenham Hotspur's South Korean forward Son Heung-min raises the trophy as he celebrates with teammates winning the UEFA Europa League final football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at San Mames stadium in Bilbao on May 21. (Photo by Thomas COEX / AFP)
With the South Korean flag draped around his waist and tears brimming in his eyes, Son raised the trophy skyward, completing a personal quest that began in Germany with Hamburger SV in 2010 and continued through years of loyalty at Tottenham, whom he joined in 2015.
Fans had long cried out for silverware to match Son's stellar stats and selfless service.
He had come close before the 2019 UEFA Champions League final, the 2021 EFL Cup final, and a second-place Premier League finish in 2016-17—but trophies always seemed to elude him.
Now, at 32, Son becomes the first South Korean captain to lift a major European trophy and only the fourth South Korean player to win the UEFA Cup or Europa League.
He follows legends like Cha Bum-kun, who triumphed with Eintracht Frankfurt in 1980 and Bayer Leverkusen in 1988, and Kim Dong-jin and Lee Ho, who lifted the trophy with Zenit Saint Petersburg in 2008.
For Spurs, the victory means more than a trophy; it secures them a place in the UEFA Champions League for the 2025-2026 season, an opportunity to return to Europe's grandest stage.
For Son, this is not just about a medal. It is about validation, vindication and legacy.
'Legend' is a word tossed around too often in football, but when it comes to Son Heung-min, it finally fits just right.
With a career marked by countless goals, assists and remarkable humility, he is far more than just a Tottenham legend.
He has firmly secured his place among the greatest Asian footballers of all time, standing proudly alongside his mentor and senior, former South Korean captain and Manchester United icon Park Ji-sung—the most decorated Asian player with 19 trophies—Cha Bum-kun and Malaysia's very own 'Super Mokh,' the late Datuk Mohd Mokhtar Dahari.
Mokhtar Dahari ranks as the fourth-highest scorer in international men's football history, trailing only Cristiano Ronaldo, Ali Daei and Lionel Messi with 89 goals in 142 appearances.
Remarkably, he turned down an offer to join arguably one of the greatest clubs ever, Real Madrid, choosing instead to remain loyal to his beloved Selangor FC.
While others may have accumulated more trophies, Son's exceptional talent, unwavering loyalty and his role as a cultural ambassador for Asian football place him in a league entirely his own.
The boy from Chuncheon who dreamed big and played with heart now has his crowning moment. It was worth every step.
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