Europa League final: Son on desperation that has kept him at Tottenham Hotspur

Heung-min Son has expressed his deep desire to win a trophy with Tottenham Hotspur, which he cites as the main motivation for his prolonged commitment to the club.

The Spurs captain faces a pivotal moment in the upcoming Europa League final against Manchester United on May 21, describing his ambition as a "desperate passion." 

Despite sitting fifth in the club’s all-time goalscoring list, the forward, who joined the London club in 2015, has yet to lift any silverware.

Son has spoken about the disappointment faced in previous finals, including the 2019 Champions League and the 2021 League Cup, and his ambition to end the club’s drought. 

The last trophy Spurs secured was the League Cup in 2008, and with his contract running until 2026, Son aims to end the club’s drought. 

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

“You need all the pieces to complete a puzzle. I think I’ve gathered all the other pieces to make that puzzle complete. I’ve been missing that one most important, final piece and I’ve been trying to find it for the past 10 years. I really hope I can finally complete the puzzle this time.

“Every game is special and meaningful. But this game [against United] feels like an opportunity that may not come back. It feels different this time. 

“I really want to win – more than anyone else. So many people are supporting us with the same desperate passion I feel. If we prepare well, I believe we can achieve it.”

Son, who is recovering from a foot injury, recently celebrated his former teammate Harry Kane’s Bundesliga win and communicated his happiness for Kane while looking for a similar success for himself. 

The London club, 17th in the Premier League, will face Aston Villa on Friday before May 21’s continental clash with the Red Devils.