BILBAO, SPAIN - MAY 21: Son Heung-Min of Tottenham Hotspur reacts before lifting the UEFA Europa League trophy after his team's victory in the UEFA Europa League Final 2025 between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at Estadio de San Mames on May 21, 2025 in Bilbao, Spain. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
Son Heung-min lifted the Europa League trophy without a winners’ medal (Getty)
UEFA made a huge blunder during the Europa League final ceremony as Tottenham captain Son Heung-min and Cristian Romero missed out on winners’ medals following their victory against Manchester United.
Spurs’ 17-year wait for a trophy is over as Brennan Johnson’s first-half goal sealed a 1-0 win for Ange Postecoglou’s side in Bilbao.
But as Tottenham’s players collected their winners’ medals from UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin, it became clear that they didn’t have enough for every Spurs player.
Therefore Son and Romero, two of Spurs’ key players this season, were forced to lift the huge Europa League trophy without a gold medal around their necks.
BILBAO, SPAIN - MAY 21: Son Heung-Min of Tottenham Hotspur is seen with the trophy after his team defeat Manchester United during the UEFA Europa League Final 2025 between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at on May 21, 2025 in Bilbao, Spain. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Son Heung-min started on the bench for the Europa League final against Manchester United (Getty)
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BILBAO, SPAIN - MAY 21: Cristian Romero of Tottenham Hotspur pose for a photo with the UEFA Europa League trophy after the UEFA Europa League Final 2025 between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at Estadio de San Mames on May 21, 2025 in Bilbao, Spain. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)
Cristian Romero posed with the Europa League trophy without his winners’ medal (Getty)
‘This is what I’ve always dreamed for. Today is the day it happened. I am the happiest man in the world,’ Son told TNT Sports.
‘When you look at the whole season there will always be some situation you have a tough time but we as players always stuck together.
‘I felt the pressure. I wanted it so badly. The last seven days I was dreaming about this game every night. It finally happened and I can sleep easy now!
‘We can celebrate today so let’s just make it one we will never forget and maybe I will miss the flight tomorrow!’
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