London: About to take his third crack at winning his first trophy in Europe, Tottenham Hotspur's South Korean captain Son Heung-min said Monday he wants to grab that final piece of the puzzle that he's been chasing for a decade. Son spoke to South Korean media Monday at Tottenham Hotspur Training Centre in north London, where Spurs have been preparing for the final of the UEFA Europa League against Manchester United. The match kicks off at San Mames Stadium in Bilbao, Spain, at 9 p.m. on May 21 (4 a.m. on May 22, South Korean time).
According to Yonhap News Agency, it will be Son's third final with Tottenham. They were the runners-up at both the 2019 UEFA Champions League and the 2021 English Football League (EFL) Cup. Spurs have not lifted any trophy since winning the 2008 EFL Cup.
Son, who left Bayer Leverkusen in Germany to join Spurs in August 2015, said he has stayed put with the north London club for all these years because he still has unfinished business. "I am here mainly because I want to accomplish things that others have not been able to," Son said. "To complete the puzzle, you need every piece. Ultimately, I think the most important final piece is still missing. I think I've been chasing that piece for 10 years and I'd love to finish that puzzle this time."
Son said he believes he has learned his lessons from the losses in the finals of the 2019 Champions League and the 2021 EFL Cup. "We have a much different squad now than we did back then, but I think it will be important for me and others with previous experience to share that with our teammates. I really want to win. And there are fans out there who really want us to win, too. If we prepare ourselves well, then we can accomplish our goal."
Son said every match is special to him but this particular match against Manchester United will take on extra significance.