Son Heung-min and Tottenham Hotspur both stand on the verge of ending long, painful waits for silverware as they prepare for the 2024/25 UEFA Europa League final against Manchester United.
Son Heung-min’s 32-Year Trophy Wait
- Son Heung-min, now 32, has never won a major club trophy in his professional career, despite a decade at Tottenham and previous stints in Germany.
- He has experienced heartbreak in two finals with Spurs: the 2019 UEFA Champions League final (lost to Liverpool) and the 2021 EFL Cup final (lost to Manchester City).
- Son is acutely aware that this Europa League final could be his last real chance to win silverware with Tottenham, especially as he enters the final year of his contract and the club endures a difficult domestic season.
Reflecting on the significance, Son said:
“I stayed here 10 years, I just want to win a trophy which nobody has done when I’ve been here in those 10 years – tomorrow is going to be a massive day for the club5”.
Tottenham’s 17-Year and 41-Year Droughts
- Tottenham’s last major trophy was the 2008 EFL Cup (then Carling Cup), a gap of over 17 years.
- Their last European trophy was the 1984 UEFA Cup, making it a 41-year wait for continental glory.
- This Europa League final is seen as a “season-defining” moment for Spurs, who have struggled in the Premier League and risk their worst finish since 1977 if they lose.
Harry Kane’s Recent Triumph
- Harry Kane, Son’s long-time teammate at Tottenham, ended his own trophy drought this season after moving to Bayern Munich, winning the Bundesliga and the Golden Boot.
- Kane’s first major club title was a moment of “overwhelming joy,” and Son, who remains close to Kane, acknowledged his friend’s achievement and hopes to follow in his footsteps.
The Narrative: Kane and Spurs Winning in the Same Season
The prospect of both Harry Kane (with Bayern) and Tottenham (potentially with Son) winning their first major trophies in the same season would be a remarkable twist, given their shared history of near-misses at Spurs.
Son noted that Kane would be “the biggest Spurs fan” for the final, supporting his old club from afar.
Also Read: Son Heung-min’s All Time Premier League Stats
What’s at Stake
- A win for Tottenham would not only end their 17-year wait for a trophy but also secure Champions League football and potentially transform the club’s mentality and future ambitions.
- For Son, it would be the crowning achievement of his career and a reward for his loyalty and excellence over a decade in North London.
Conclusion
If Tottenham and Son Heung-min triumph in the Europa League final, it would be a historic and emotional end to their respective trophy droughts, mirroring Harry Kane’s recent breakthrough. For Son and Spurs fans, this match represents much more than just a title—it is a chance to rewrite the club’s narrative and reward years of perseverance.