James Maddison has now revealed what he told Tottenham captain Heung-min Son during Spurs’ trophy celebrations on the pitch in Spain at the San Mames Stadium.
A lot was riding on the line for Tottenham Hotspur ahead of their Europa League final against Manchester United in the San Mames Stadium in Spain.
For the club, it was an opportunity to bring an end to a painful 17-year wait for silverware and offer some much-needed joy to a fanbase that had watched their side plummet to 17th in the Premier League table by the end of the season.
On a more personal note, players like Heung-min Son carried the weight of a decade-long pursuit for his first major trophy, a drought he was determined to end in the Lilywhite shirt of Tottenham.
James Maddison shares emotional tribute after Tottenham’s Europa League win
Indeed, the Korean forward could easily have joined the long list of players who departed Tottenham and picked up silverware elsewhere, but as Son said, lifting a trophy with Tottenham was the dream he refused to give up on.
He achieved that dream in spectacular fashion, hoisting the Europa League trophy into the Spanish night sky after Tottenham edged Manchester United 1-0 in the final.
James Maddison has now revealed the heartfelt message he shared with the Spurs captain in what was an emotional moment on the pitch. Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: “I would never forget that moment, it was the first time.
MORE SPURS STORIES
“Obviously I was injured for the final. I was on the sideline and I could not sprint when we won just because I have got a knee injury, and it was the first time I saw him since the final whistle had gone and we just had a big hug and we both started crying like little babies.
“But I would never forget that moment. I just wanted to tell him exactly in that moment what he means to me. And I know that sounds cringe, but he means everything.
“And when you see him every day, work as hard as he does and try and change the way Tottenham, because he has had ten… you said I have had two years of getting a bit of stick about not winning trophies. He has had ten years of that and he is one of the Premier League greats. So to see him do that, I just wanted to tell him that, how proud of him I was and what he means to me.”
Spurs look to the future with Son and Maddison at the core
With James Maddison clinching the first piece of European silverware in his career, the former Leicester City midfielder will now focus on his rehabilitation as he targets a full recovery ahead of the new campaign.
As for the Tottenham captain, his future at Hotspur Way remains uncertain, with speculation continuing to swirl following a season of mixed form and reported interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia.