In a historic moment for South Korean soccer, Son Heung Min, captain of Tottenham Hotspur, became the first Korean player to lift a UEFA competition trophy as captain. Tottenham secured a 1-0 victory over Manchester United in the 2024–25 UEFA Europa League final held at San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao, Spain, on May 22, 2025 (KST).
The decisive goal came in the 42nd minute when Pape Sarr delivered a low cross from the left, which Brennan Johnson met with a sliding right-footed shot. The ball deflected off defender Luke Shaw's arm and found its way into the net, giving Tottenham the lead.
Son entered the match in the 67th minute, replacing Richarlison, and took the field wearing the captain's armband. Operating on the left wing, he contributed to the team's efforts for the remaining 30 minutes, helping secure the victory.
While other Korean players like Cha Bum Kun (two-time UEFA Cup winner), Park Ji Sung (UEFA Champions League winner), Kim Dong Jin, and Lee Ho have previously won UEFA-organized competitions, none had done so as team captain. Cha notably scored in the final for Bayer Leverkusen, while Park was not included in the squad for Manchester United's Champions League final. Kim played one minute in the UEFA Cup final, and Lee did not feature in the match.
Son's achievement marks a significant milestone, as he not only captained his team in the final but also led them to victory, etching his name in Korean soccer history.
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