Tottenham: Heung-min Son desperate to achieve 'something others couldn't' in Europa League final | OneFootball

Spurs captain is preparing for his third final with the club

"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. It feels like I’ve been missing that one most important final piece, and I’ve been trying to find it for the past ten years. I really hope I can finally complete the puzzle this time."

Son is one of just two survivors in Ange Postecoglou's squad from the group which lost the 2019 Champions League Final to Liverpool, along with Ben Davies, and was also part of the group beaten by Man City in the Carabao Cup in 2021.

Heung-min Son was part of the Tottenham team that lost the 2019 Champions League final

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The South Korean says this time "feels different" and insists there is no-one more determined to finally end Spurs' 17-year wait for a trophy.

"I believe I definitely learned something from those failures," he said. "Even though the players have changed a lot since we played in the finals, it’s important for me and the more experienced players to share those experiences with the current squad.

"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.

"For me, every game is special and every game is meaningful. But this game feels like an opportunity that may not come back.

"I feel it's right to fully focus on this game for that reason. We are all so focused for this final. I am working to return to full match fitness in time for this game and I don't want to have any regrets.

"For the fans back home who want this even more than I do, I really want to bring them a great gift when I return to Korea after the season ends. A gift that will make our Korean fans, Tottenham fans and me very happy.”

We are all so focused for this final. I am working to return to full match fitness in time for this game and I don't want to have any regrets

Heung-min Son

Son is an superstar in his homeland although South Korea's loyalties are likely to be split for the Final because large swathes of the country adopted United during Ji-sung Park's time at Old Trafford.

Son hopes the Korean United fans will switch allegiance to back him on May 21, and says he wants to repay everyone who has supported him to this point.

Asked about United's backing at home, he said: "First of all, what’s more important than the opponent is the team I’m playing for. So, I don’t have any specific feelings about that. What I’m focused on is how I can bring the greatest happiness and joy to myself and to those who sacrifice for me. That’s my priority.

"That includes my family, fans, teammates, staff members—everyone who sacrifices for us. We need to repay them.

"I know that there are many Manchester United fans in Korea because of Ji-sung, but I believe those fans will support Spurs this time as well. I hope we can all smile together. I really want to give them a great gift.

"On that day, especially, I hope I can offer them a good gift, because I truly want to return everything I’ve received. I hope we can all share that happiness together."

Heung-min Son and Ji-sung Park are two popular figures in South Korea

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Son could finally get his hands on silverware in the same month as his former Spurs teammate and strike-partner Harry Kane, who ended his long wait for a team trophy when Bayern Munich were crowned Bundesliga champions last week.

"I actually texted Harry Kane and he called me back on a video call!" Son said in an interview with Korean tabloid Sports Donga.

"I was really happy to see him happy. He is one of my best friends and to see a once teammate 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."