Tottenham Hotspur uploads Son Heung-min’s final interview
Son Heung-min (33, LA FC)’s final interview with Tottenham Hotspur, before his farewell, was filled with emotion. On the 7th (Korean time), Tottenham Hotspur released a video of Son’s interview on their official website, announcing his farewell, stating, “He was one of the greatest players of our time.”
“I grew up in a difficult environment, but one thing was clear to me as I got here: I always wanted to give it my all,” Son Heung-min said. “Ever since I started playing football as a child, I’ve always had this mindset: While my performance may fluctuate, I always believed that giving my best was possible. That was who I was, and it was the attitude I learned from my parents.”
“I was really nervous when I first came to north London,” Son Heung-min, who joined Tottenham from Bayer Leverkusen in August 2015, admitted. “It was White Hart Lane. I had played for a few teams before Tottenham, but there was the language barrier and my memories of England weren’t very good. But Tottenham was different. When I walked onto the pitch, everyone welcomed me and it felt really special.”
Regarding his first English interview upon joining the club, he smiled and said, “I was so nervous that I can still vividly remember saying only, ‘I’m happy to be here.'” He continued, “Choosing the Premier League and Tottenham was a huge challenge, but looking back, it was one of the best decisions of my life.”
Despite facing difficult times in his early days, Son Heung-min gradually gained the trust of fans and teammates, solidifying his position. “I didn’t expect my first year to be so great,” he said. “But as time went on, I received more and more love, and I wanted to repay that love. The love I receive from fans is never free. They understood who I am as a player and how I play, and from that moment on, they truly loved me.”
“My name will always be remembered by the Tottenham family,” he said. “I scored the first goal in the new stadium and lifted the trophy as captain. Winning the Europa League was a special and brilliant moment for me and the team. The circumstances we were in at the time were very difficult, so that victory was even more precious. Lifting the trophy as captain of Tottenham will be a day I will always remember.”
Son Heung-min, recalling the victory, emphasized the memories he made with the fans. “The championship parade was truly an unforgettable moment. The fans’ expressions, the laughter and tears… they were happier than I’ve ever seen them. I’ll never forget that sight. I’ll continue to watch those moments on video,” he said.
Speaking about his 10-year career, he said: “I’m proud of everything I’ve achieved at this great club. I’ve achieved a lot both individually and as a team. I think these achievements don’t just come to you; you have to work hard, be a good player and be the right person on and off the pitch.”
He also didn’t forget to express his gratitude to Korean fans. “It was such a proud feeling to see so many Korean fans at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. I’m not someone who just receives, I want to give back. I wanted to return the love I’ve received. I hope my feelings were conveyed to the fans,” he said.
He also expressed gratitude to his parents. “They always told me, ‘It’s important to be a good soccer player, but even more important, you have to be a good person.’ I’ve always kept those words in mind. That’s why I hope that younger players will look at me and think, ‘He’s a good player and a good person.'”
Finally, Son Heung-min calmly concluded his journey.
“This goodbye was difficult, knowing nothing lasts forever. But I gave it my all. My loyalty and my desire to repay the fans by winning were clear. I came here as a boy, but now I leave as a man. I want to express my deepest gratitude to this club, the staff, the coaching staff, the players I played with, and the fans. Thank you so much.”
