Why didn’t Heung-min Son get a medal after Tottenham’s 2025 UEFA Europa League title?

Tottenham Hotspur won the title in the 2025 UEFA Europa League, but surprisingly, Heung-min Son did not receive a medal.

This Wednesday, Tottenham Hotspur secured a historic victory over Manchester United in the 2025 UEFA Europa League, capturing their first major title in nearly two decades. Heung-min Son, one of the team’s key leaders, played an important role—but something unusual happened to him during the celebrations.

Son, as captain of the English side, was the one who lifted the trophy at San Mames Stadium in Spain. However, unlike most of his teammates, he wasn’t wearing a medal around his neck. According to The Sun, this oddly happened because UEFA bosses did not have enough for everyone on the roster.

Television cameras even captured the moment when UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin exchanged a few words with the South Korean winger before handing him the trophy, prompting a slight smile—possibly a nod to the unusual situation.

Son wasn’t the only Tottenham player spotted without a medal during the celebrations. At least two more teammates were in the same situation: Cristian Romero and Rodrigo Bentancur. However, judging by their expressions and demeanor, they didn’t seem particularly upset.

Other key figures did receive medals

James Maddison, for example, did get his medal. The English midfielder missed the final stretch of Tottenham’s campaign, including Wednesday’s final, due to a knee injury. Still, he was on the field with the squad and, unlike Son, Romero, and Bentancur, didn’t miss out due to the shortage.

Interestingly, all eight members of the officiating crew assigned to the final also received medals. That included lead referee Felix Zwayer of Germany, assistant referees Robert Kempter and Christian Dietz, fourth official Maurizio Mariani, reserve referee Daniele Bindoni, and VAR officials Bastian Dankert, Benjamin Brand, and Carlos del Cerro Grande.

Son earns the first club title of his career

Despite not receiving a medal—at least not yet, until UEFA corrects the oversight—Heung-min Son has plenty of reason to celebrate. This marks the first club trophy of his professional career, ending a 16-year drought that began when he made his debut with Hamburg. Before this UEFA Europa League title, the South Korean winger had finished runner-up with Tottenham in the 2019 Champions League and the 2021 English Football League Cup.

On the international stage, Son has already enjoyed success with South Korea U-23, winning the 2018 Asian Games. Individually, he’s built a decorated resume: eight-time Player of the Year in his country, top scorer in both the Premier League and the FA Cup, and a 2020 FIFA Puskas Award winner for Goal of the Year.

From: bolavip.com