Tottenham Hotspur captain Son Heung-Min has set an aim to “complete” his career at the club by achieving Europa League glory.
The South Korean has scored 173 goals in 451 games in 10 seasons at the club but the North London side’s 17-year trophy drought lingers.
Son has endured painful defeats in the UEFA Champions League final against Liverpool in 2019 and the Leauge Cup against Manchester City in 2021.
However, he hopes next Wednesday’s all-English battle against Manchester United in Bilbao for the Europa League will be a different story.
“We’ve been talking about this for years. The biggest reason I stayed at Tottenham was because I wanted to do something others couldn’t achieve,” he said, in an interview with Korean media at the club’s Europa League final media day on Monday.
“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.
“It feels like 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.
“It feels different this time. I really want to win – more than anyone else, I think. So many people are supporting us with the same desperate passion I feel. If we prepare well, I believe we can achieve it.”
Son witnessed former Tottenham team-mates taste success elsewhere after leaving the club, with Harry Kane the latest after he led Bayern Munich to the Bundesliga title earlier this month.
The duo struck up a strong partnership at Tottenham and while Kane left almost two years ago, his success has given Son “energy” before the showdown with United in Spain.
“I actually texted Harry and he called me back on a video call! I was really happy to see him happy,” Son added.
“He is one of my best friends and to see a once team-mate achieve so much, I was delighted for him like he’s my family. With that positive energy, I hope he can support Spurs in the game as well so we can achieve a good result like his.
“For me, every game is special and every game is meaningful, but this game feels like an opportunity that may not come back.”
