Is this Son’s time: Can Spurs captain seize Europa League opportunity to end trophy drought? | OneFootball

Heung-min Son has made it clear why he stayed at Tottenham Hotspur. It was never just about goals or glory – it was about legacy.

Son now stands one game away from something that has eluded him for nearly a decade – silverware.

When Spurs face Manchester United in the Europa League final on May 21, the South Korean forward will hope to do what Harry Kane never could – end the club’s 17-year wait for a trophy.

“We’ve been talking about this for years,” Son said. “The biggest reason I stayed at Tottenham was because I wanted to do something others couldn’t achieve.”

Son has scored 173 goals since arriving from Bayer Leverkusen in 2015. He has climbed to fifth on the club’s all-time scorers list. But he has nothing to show for it in terms of honours.

He played in the 2019 Champions League final defeat to Liverpool and the 2021 League Cup loss to Manchester City. But for all the goals, Son is still searching for what he calls the ‘final piece’ of his puzzle.

“You need all the pieces to complete a puzzle,” he added. “I think I’ve gathered all the other pieces. I’ve been missing that one most important, final piece.”

This time, he insists, feels different. The Europa League final offers not only a personal milestone but also a cultural one.

Son is one of South Korea’s biggest sporting icons. But he knows some of his countrymen still support United due to Ji-sung Park’s legacy. He hopes to change that – at least for one night.

“I know there are many Manchester United fans in Korea because of Ji-sung,” he said. “But I believe those fans will support Spurs this time as well. I really want to give them a great gift.”

Son’s bond with Kane remains strong. The striker, now with Bayern Munich, recently secured the Bundesliga title – his first team trophy.

“I was delighted for him like he’s my family,” Son said. “With that positive energy, I hope he can support Spurs in the game as well.”

Even Ange Postecoglou understands what this moment could mean. “Until you do it, irrespective of what else you accomplish, people are going to say you haven’t won anything,” the Spurs boss said.

Son has returned from injury just in time. He says he is fit, focused and ready.

“I will be fine,” he insisted. “This feels like an opportunity that may not come back. I don’t want to have any regrets.”

The puzzle is nearly complete. Now all that is left is to lift the trophy.