Tottenham Hotspur claimed a narrow 1-0 win over Manchester United to win the Europa League final after a match of few big opportunities in Bilbao on Wednesday evening
Son Heung-Min revealed how emotional videos of the families of Tottenham's players helped inspire their historic Europa League triumph. During a team meeting in their Bilbao Hotel prior to the final against Manchester United, the players were and watched good luck reports of their loved ones.
Spurs Skipper Son revealed how the move – the brainchild of Baas Ange Postecoglou – had to motivate and inspire the players to land the first trophy of the club for 17 years. “There must be some secrets, but look, family is everything we care about,” Son said. “It is the most important thing in my life.
“Their dedication, their love from the first day. Since I started football, my family was always there. When I watched family members' videos, I became emotional. I wanted to win desperate. Not because of me, I just wanted to win for the family.
“People think that players deserve this trophy, but it is the families who earn this for their sacrifice, their dedication. It is a great feeling to win.
“It feels like a dream come true and all the hard work, the dedication that I have put all my life, it has finally paid off. I am very, very happy, the happiest man in the world and the happiest man in the world.”
Laying the Europa League trophy – and therefore a ticket in the Champions League of next season – was a suitable reward for son for a decade of loyal service to Spurs. The South Korea star, 32, admitted that he was crushed to be left out of the starting line-up of Tottenham in Bilbao, but had to set aside personal disappointment for the well-being of the team.
“Look, you always want to start the game,” Son said. “But this was not an stage where you can be selfish. You just have to think about what the team needs and of course I was ready to do it.
“It was clear that I was a bit disappointed, but the most important thing is that we won the trophy and then I only thought I would pick up the trophy. So all the boys who came up and those who were not involved tonight, but also contributed to us to come here. It was difficult, but I was committed to the team, so credit for every single player.”
Son was part of the Spurs side that lost the 2019 Champions League final to Liverpool in Madrid and said that the victory in Bilbao was for the fans who had stood him and the players with unwavering loyalty. “To complete that last part of the puzzle, I feel that the fans have played the majority,” said Son, who has left for a year at his current deal. “I don't think I played a major role.
“When the times were difficult, when it was great or when it was difficult, for the fans who supported me everywhere, I was able to finally complete that puzzle. I am so proud that I have achieved something as the captain of a team that nobody was able to do in 17 years. I am really happy and extra motivated to do it even better as a player.”