Xavi Simons Honors Son’s Legacy While Forging His Own Path in Spurs’ Champions League Victory
In an emotional night at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the past and future of the club collided beautifully as Son Heung-min finally bid farewell to the fans, while new signing Xavi Simons vowed to create his own legacy—starting with the iconic number seven shirt Son once wore.
Simons, the 22-year-old Dutch midfielder, capped a commanding 3-0 Champions League victory over Slavia Prague with a late penalty, continuing his dazzling start since joining from RB Leipzig for £52 million. But the evening belonged to two players: one just beginning his Spurs journey, and another closing a legendary chapter.
A Long-Awaited Goodbye
Son, who departed for Los Angeles FC in pre-season without a proper send-off, returned to a hero’s welcome. Hours before kick-off, a new mural of the South Korean star was unveiled on Tottenham High Road. Later, he addressed a sold-out crowd of 47,821, telling them emotionally, “I will always be Spurs.”
“I’m happy to be back in a place where I spent my youth and is like a home,” Son told Korean media. “It was a little hard because the flight time was longer than I thought, but I had a really happy day.”
The New No. 7 Meets a Legend
For Simons, the night was doubly special. Not only did he score again, but he also had the chance to meet the man whose shirt number he now carries.
“I didn’t meet Son personally before, and now a little bit,” Simons admitted. “He is a big legend for the club and it’s a real pleasure for me to take this number and build my own legacy.”
Simons stressed that while goals are rewarding, his primary focus is feeling great on the pitch. “That is the most important for me, and I’m enjoying it,” he said.
A Brotherly Bond Endures
The affection for Son was palpable in the dressing room as well. Young forward Mathys Tel, recently drafted into the Champions League squad as an injury replacement, spoke of Son’s ongoing influence.
“Sonny is like my big brother,” Tel revealed. “He is always texting me, his support is always behind me. Sonny is a big legend at Tottenham, so when a guy like Sonny comes after he did everything, you give everything for him.”
A Legacy Remembered, A Future Begun
Son’s remarkable Spurs career ended with 173 goals in 454 appearances, his final competitive match being last season’s Europa League final triumph. While his time on the pitch in North London is over, his spirit clearly remains.
As Xavi Simons lifts the number seven shirt toward a new era, he does so with respect for its past—and a clear vision for his own future. On a night of celebration and closure, Tottenham wasn’t just saying goodbye to a legend; it was welcoming a new star ready to write his own story.
