Tottenham Hotspur have confirmed that their young attacking midfielder Xavi Simons has suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament and will require surgery, ruling him out for the remainder of the 2025‑26 campaign and the upcoming World Cup with the Netherlands. The news arrived after Simons collapsed clutching his right knee in the 58th minute of Tottenham’s 1‑0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, a win that had briefly lifted the club to its first Premier League triumph of the year. The incident unfolded when Simons collided with Wolves defender Hugo Bueno.
The 23‑year‑old tried to get to his feet but immediately fell to the ground, grimacing in pain. Medical staff rushed onto the pitch, and after a brief assessment he was helped to his feet only to collapse again in front of the Tottenham doctors. The situation escalated quickly and the player was taken off the Molineux turf on a stretcher, his season effectively over.
In a statement released on Monday morning, Tottenham confirmed the seriousness of the injury, confirming that Simons will undergo reconstructive surgery in the coming weeks and will then embark on a lengthy rehabilitation programme overseen by the club’s medical department. The club added that the player had already posted on Instagram on Sunday evening, acknowledging that he would miss the final four league fixtures and the summer World Cup, expressing disappointment and a sense of unfinished business. "They say life can be cruel and today it feels that way.
My season has come to an abrupt end and I'm just trying to process it," Simons wrote. "Honestly, I'm heartbroken.
None of it makes sense. All I've wanted to do is fight for my team and now the ability to do that has been snatched away from me, along with the World Cup." Simons’ injury adds to a growing list of setbacks that have plagued Spurs this season. The club currently sit two points adrift of safety with only four matches remaining, and they have already lost key summer acquisitions Mohammed Kudus and captain Cristian Romero for the rest of the campaign. The loss of a £52 million asset like Simons deepens concerns about the squad’s depth and creative spark as they battle to avoid what would be their first relegation in 49 years.
The Dutch playmaker’s debut season in England has been a roller‑coaster. After a promising start under former manager Thomas Frank, he found himself on the periphery during Igor Tudor’s brief tenure.
However, under the new head coach Roberto De Zerbi, Simons began to flourish, most notably with a spectacular strike in a 2‑2 home draw against Brighton that showcased his technical ability and eye for goal. That moment hinted at the pivotal role he could play in the final stretch of the season, a role now lost to injury.
In a heartfelt message to fans, Simons said, "It'll take some time to find peace with this but I'll continue to be the best teammate I can be. I have no doubt that together we'll win this fight.
I'll walk this path now, guided by faith, with strength, with resilience, with belief as I count down the days to getting back out there. Be patient with me." His words reflect a maturity beyond his years and a determination to support the squad from the sidelines. Former Spurs manager Tim Sherwood weighed in on Sky Sports, lamenting the club’s injury woes. "Injuries have derailed Tottenham all season, and it can't be bad luck.
They need to review and have a good look at what's happening to their players because we can all get injured from contact, but a lot of these injuries are not contact. They are twists and soft‑tissue injuries. And ultimately, it looks like they might have to pay the price for it, the ultimate price, which is relegation." Sky Sports reporter Michael Bridge echoed those concerns, pointing out the financial implications of retaining high‑earning players like Simons, Maddison and Kulusevski in the Championship.
"If Tottenham do get relegated, they could still have James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski and Xavi Simons, three very big names, still at the club in the Championship. That's a ruptured ACL for Simons; you can forget this year. That's done.
So with his wages and everything, you've got to look at the financial side of it as well. I'm sorry to say, but Spurs' persistent injury issues need to be looked at. This is ridiculous now." Bridge also highlighted how quickly Simons progressed under De Zerbi, noting that the midfielder had been finding his rhythm and contributing more regularly in recent weeks. "He scored that absolutely stunning goal against Brighton.
It really was a brilliant goal out of nothing. And this is what Spurs are going to miss over the next few games, just that individual bit of brilliance which he's capable of.
The players have to step up, but they don't really have that kind of creativity in the side, so he's going to have to mix it and match it a bit more now." The injury list at Tottenham now reads like a litany of misfortune, and the club faces a daunting task of navigating the final fixtures without several of its most creative talents. While the coaching staff will undoubtedly adjust tactics and give opportunities to other squad members, the loss of Simons’ flair and vision will be felt keenly. Looking ahead, the focus for Simons will be a successful surgery and a disciplined rehabilitation process. Modern ACL reconstruction techniques, combined with Tottenham’s state‑of‑the‑art medical facilities, give hope that he could return to full fitness within nine to twelve months.
Until then, the young Dutchman will rely on his teammates, the coaching staff, and his own resilience to stay engaged with the club’s fight for survival. For Spurs supporters, the immediate concern remains the battle against relegation.
With a two‑point gap to safety and only four games left, every point will be crucial. The club will need to rally around its remaining senior players, find alternative sources of creativity, and perhaps discover a new hero in the crucible of adversity. Simons’ absence is a painful reminder of how quickly fortunes can change in football, but his determination to support the team from the sidelines offers a glimmer of optimism amid a challenging season.