Son Heung-min was among the Tottenham Hotspur players who did not end Wednesday night with a Europa League winner’s medal around his neck, despite the Spurs defeating Manchester United in the final to claim the title. Reason? Because Tottenham Hotspur sent so many players on stage to pick up that UEFA ran out of medals. In scenes captured on the live broadcast after the culmination of the Europa League final, UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin was seemingly caught by surprise when the medals ran out while there were still Tottenham players left to receive them.
Among these players was Tottenham talisman Son, who won his first title in Europe.
UEFA explained that both Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United were informed that only 30 medals would be presented on stage to each club. The club would also be given 20 further medals after the ceremony for players and staff.
It’s unlikely that Son or the team would mind. This is the club’s first trophy in 17 years.
“I felt the pressure. I wanted it so badly,” Son said after the final in Bilbao. “The last seven days, I was dreaming about this game every single day. It finally happened, and I can sleep easy now.”
He has been beset by a foot injury and was only allowed to come off the bench in the Europa League final in the 67th minute.
“Let’s say I’m a legend. Why not? Only today,” Son Heung-min joked afterwards. “In 17 years, nobody has done it. Today’s the day — probably I will say I’m a legend. Let’s enjoy it, let’s celebrate. It feels amazing. It’s what I’ve always dreamed of. Today is the day the dream came true. I’m the happiest man in the world.”
The Europa League trophy also comes right on the heels of the club and Son watching former striker Harry Kane win the first trophy of his career after leaving Spurs and joining Bayern Munich.
“When you look at the whole season, there was always some situations where you’re having a tough time, but we as players always stuck together,” Son said about a season which has seen Tottenham stuck in 17th spot in the English Premier League. “The young players always stepped up. I always tried to give them good advice, speak positively. I’m very lucky I have such an amazing group of players with me.”
