Kulusevski feared he would never play again after serious knee injury

Summarised from 2 outlets · 4 reports · Updated 29 Oct, 22:51 · Archive

Tottenham forward Dejan Kulusevski told his mother he thought he would not play again after suffering a serious knee injury.

Dejan Kulusevski suffered a serious patella injury after a collision with Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi on the final day of the 2024-25 season. The injury left him out for the entirety of the 2025-26 campaign. Kulusevski has described the injury as devastating, saying his cartilage broke and part of it became detached in a way that could not be surgically repaired.

The injury forced him to miss Tottenham's Europa League final victory over Manchester United in Bilbao, a moment he called 'one of the hardest days of my life'. He attended the match on crutches but was unable to collect his winners' medal from the podium. During his recovery, Kulusevski told his mother: 'I told her listen, I don't think this is going to work out. I had to prepare her, I don't think I can play anymore.'

Kulusevski has credited his wife Eldina with supporting him through his rehabilitation. He has now returned to action, making cameo appearances against Coventry City and Chelsea, and received a rapturous ovation on his comeback from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium crowd.

How it is being reported

• Tottenham star Dejan Kulusevski made heartbreaking admission to his mum amid injury hellTottenham winger Dejan Kulusevski missed the entirety of last season with a devastating injury, and he has now opened up on just how serious the problem wasMirror Sport · 29 Oct, 22:41
• Dejan Kulusevski reveals 'idol' that helped Tottenham star through long-term injurySpurs forward has one person to thank amid injury hellEvening Standard · 29 Oct, 21:30
• Dejan Kulusevski reveals 'hardest day of my life' amid Tottenham injury hellSpurs forward was sidelined for 18 months with long-term injuryEvening Standard · 29 Oct, 21:14
• Dejan Kulusevski thought he would 'never play again' amid Tottenham injury hellTottenham forward was out for a year and a half with a serious kneecap problemEvening Standard · 29 Oct, 21:04

In this story: Dejan Kulusevski · Tottenham · Marc Guehi · Crystal Palace · Manchester United · Bilbao · Coventry City · Chelsea

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