Awkward gaffe as ‘legend’ gets medal he deserves, eventually, in poetic Ange moment 10 years on

No Tottenham player deserved to win the Europa League medal more than their captain Son Heung-min and his wait is over ... even if it continued a little longer than expected after a triumph in Thursday’s final.

The South Korean star, who joined Spurs a decade ago and is fifth all-time for goals scored for the club, has watched teammate after teammate leave and achieve success elsewhere.

When arguably Tottenham’s greatest ever goal scorer Harry Kane and fellow former Spur Eric Dier lifted the Bundesliga trophy with Bayern Munich earlier this month, it took to 67 the number of former Spurs that had left the club during a 17-year title drought and achieved success elsewhere. That drought, of course, is now over after Spurs defeated Manchester United 1-0 in Bilbao.

Watch The UEFA Women’s Champions League Final LIVE on Kayo Sports | Arsenal vs Barcelona Sunday 25 May 2am AEST | New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer.

Having joined Tottenham from German side Bayer Leverkusen in 2015, Son has played with more than half of the 67 players.

It is little wonder he shed tears of joy after the final whistle and said he was the “happiest man in the world”.

“Wow, an feeling amazing!” Son told TNT Sports.

“Today is the day the dream came true. Happiest man in the world to be honest.”

The 32-year-old stayed loyal when others walked.

The best example of which was Kane.

The England captain departed for Munich prior to Ange Postecoglou’s first season in charge to chase a trophy after more than a decade of disappointment.

It split up one of the Premier’s League most deadly attacking duos, but it did not ruin their friendship.

Ange ends Spurs trophy drought | 07:43

In his pre-final press conference, Son said Kane was his “best friend” and earlier this month, he revealed that Kane video called him with the Bundesliga trophy immediately after Son sent him a congratulatory text.

Kane’s breakthrough simply spurred Son on more, as well as the heartbreak he had experienced over the course of a decade.

“My philosophy has always been to choose the hard road and to chase paths no one else has taken,” Son told South Korean television news outlet SPOTV News post-match.

“That’s what I strive for the most.”

The 2021-22 Premier League golden boot winner continually scored goals and racked up individual accolades, including FIFA’s Puskas Award for goal of the year for a stunning box-to-box run against Burnley in 2019, but was on the losing side in the 2019 Champions League final and the 2021 League Cup final.

He even came up short for South Korea in the 2015 Asian Cup, ironically at the hands of Postecoglou’s Socceroos, but won the Asian Games in 2018. Somewhat poetic vision of Postecoglou consoling Son after that defeat surfaced on Thursday as the Korean’s career came full circle.

'Don't feel like I've completed the job' | 01:03

Throughout the years Son remained unwaveringly dedicated to his belief that he could win a trophy with Tottenham.

Although, he felt the pressure.

The weight of history was added to by his push to return from a foot injury in time for the final.

He started and played 74 minutes in Tottenham’s 2-0 loss at Aston Villa on Friday to prove his fitness, but Postecoglou still decided to bring Son off the bench.

Centre back Cristian Romero took the captain’s arm band instead, but Son was introduced for Richarlison in the 67th minute.

READ MORE

WRAP: Ange mic drop as Aussie turns Spurs torture into $208m triumph

‘HUMBLE PIE’: World reacts as Ange delivers ‘coldest moment in football history’

‘I’M A WINNER’: Ange’s swipe at Spurs boss as Aussie reveals jab he never forgot

Final whistle - Ange strikes Europa gold | 00:55

It meant Spurs’ skipper was on the pitch at the final whistle to cement his legacy with the club.

When asked post-match if the win made him a Tottenham legend, Son tried to down play the notion.

“Let’s say I’m a legend. Why not? Only today!” he said with a laugh.

“17 years nobody has done it, so today let’s say with amazing players probably a legend of the club.

“This is what I’ve always dreamed for. Today is the day it happened. I am the happiest man in the world.

“When you look at the whole season there will always be some situation you have a tough time but we as players always stuck together.

“I felt the pressure. I wanted it so badly. The last seven days I was dreaming about this game every night. It finally happened and I can sleep easy now!

“We can celebrate today so let’s just make it one we will never forget and maybe I will miss the flight tomorrow.”

'Get ready for a parade' - Full Presser | 12:19

There was an awkward moment post-game as the players lined up to receive their medals, when it became evident UEFA officials didn’t have enough to hand to every Tottenham player.

As a result Son and defender Romero briefly went without.

Son didn’t seem too fazed as he was congratulated by UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin before collecting the Europa League trophy his teammates on the podium.

Social media user noted that injured midfielder James Maddison, who changed into full playing kit after the fulltime whistle to join in the celebrations, was among those who received a medal before Son.

The Korean ultimately later received a medal but putting him teammates before himself in not at all unusual for Son.

The 32-year-old has been a loyal and dependable force for Postecoglou since the manager arrived at Spurs, constantly backing his manager and helping drive the standards and culture the Australian has tried to implement.

“He’s so important to the group, he’s so important as a leader. He’s such an important figure at this football club,” Postecoglou said of Son on the eve of the final.

“And it’s a big motivation and driver for all of us, including for me, to give him a trophy that his career deserves.

“He’s a guy that’s come from the other side of the world. Not many guys have come from Asia and have stayed in the Premier League for so long, maintaining that excellence.

“It would be great to kind of cap that off with a trophy for him.”

Ange reflects on snapping Spurs drought | 00:46

Just as Australians woke up early in their droves to watch Postecoglou’s massive moment, Koreans set their alarms to watch their hero accomplish his dream.

Son is revered in his homeland, and was extremely appreciative of all the support he has received as he draped himself in the South Korean flag as the Tottenham players celebrated with fans in the stands.

“I’m very proud to be Korean. I want to saw thank you to the Korean fans,” he said.

“It was 4am (kick-off) there and they are supporting me like crazy.”

Click here to read article