UEFA run out of medals for Spurs players after Europa League final win
Chris Davie
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, Cristian Romero and Rodrigo Bentancur 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 there would not be enough for every member of the squad.
The line paused when Yves Bissouma collected his medal as Ceferin turned around to speak with his UEFA delegate, presumably to discuss the fact that the box of medals was now empty.
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Bentancur was next in line but only got a handshake from Ceferin, and World Cup winner Romero was given the same treatment before the UEFA president finally had a brief exchange with Son before presenting him with the trophy.
Therefore, Son, Bentancur and Romero were forced to pose with the Europa League trophy on the pitch without their gold medals around their necks.
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin was notified that they were running low on medals (TNT Sports)
Cristiano Romero was named Player of the Match but celebrated without a winners’ medal (TNT Sports)
Speaking after Spurs’ win, Romero, who was named Player of the Match for his performance against United, said: ‘We were fair winners and we’re very happy. We deserved to finish like this, there was bad talk about this club, about the coach, and today we silenced a lot of people.
‘We closed out a season that seemed like we were in a bad position, but we finished it as European champions and qualified for the next Champions League.
‘I can’t stop what’s being said outside about what my future will be like. I always give everything for this club and I give my all to this shirt.
‘I came here with the mentality of winning, of making history. I wanted to leave my name engraved on Tottenham. Now I’m going to celebrate with my family, who give me everything, and I owe it to them.’
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)
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)
Meanwhile, Spurs captain Son told TNT Sports: ‘This is what I’ve always dreamed for. Today is the day it happened. I am the happiest man in the world.
‘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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