Tottenham Hotspur have confirmed that Dutch attacking midfielder Xavi Simons has suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and will require surgery, ruling him out for the remainder of the 2025-26 Premier League campaign and the upcoming World Cup. The news arrived after Simons collapsed in the 58th minute of Tottenham's 1-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux, a win that marked the club's first league triumph of the 2026 calendar year. The incident unfolded when Simons collided with Wolves defender Hugo Bueno.
The 23-year‑old tried to push through the pain and continue running, but his knee gave way and he fell to the pitch. Medical staff rushed to his aid, but the severity of the injury was evident; Simons was stretchered off the field and taken to the hospital for assessment. Later, the club announced that the damage to his right knee was an ACL rupture, a serious injury that typically demands surgical reconstruction followed by a lengthy rehabilitation period.
In a heartfelt Instagram post on Sunday evening, Simons announced that he would miss the final four league fixtures and the summer World Cup with the Netherlands. "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," the former Paris Saint‑Germain prospect wrote. He added, "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." The timing of Simons’ injury could prove catastrophic for a Spurs side that is teetering near the relegation zone.
With four games remaining, Tottenham sit two points behind safety and face a daunting task to overtake 17th‑placed West Ham United. The club has already been hit by a spate of setbacks: summer acquisition Mohammed Kudus and captain Cristian Romero were both ruled out for the rest of the season early in Roberto De Zerbi’s tenure, and now the £52 million investment in Simons is unavailable when the team needs creativity the most. Spurs confirmed on Monday morning that Simons will undergo surgery in the coming weeks and then begin a structured rehabilitation programme under the guidance of the club’s medical team. The club’s statement emphasized their commitment to supporting the player’s recovery and ensuring he returns to full fitness as soon as medically possible.
Simons’ first season in England has been a roller‑coaster. After arriving from PSG with high expectations, he showed moments of brilliance under former manager Thomas Frank, only to be frozen out by Igor Tudor later in the campaign.
Under De Zerbi, however, he appeared to be finding his footing, highlighted by a spectacular long‑range strike in a 2‑2 home draw with Brighton & Hove Albion that showcased his technical ability and vision. The loss of Simons deprives Tottenham of a player capable of unlocking stubborn defenses with his dribbling, passing range, and eye for goal. His absence will force De Zerbi to rely more heavily on other attacking options such as Dejan Kulusevski, James Maddison, and the newly signed Mohammed Kudus, all of whom have also been plagued by injuries this season.
Former Spurs manager Tim Sherwood weighed in on Sky Sports, suggesting that the club’s injury crisis may be symptomatic of deeper issues. "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," he said. Sky Sports reporter Michael Bridge echoed those concerns, pointing out the financial implications of carrying high‑wage players who are unavailable. "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 remarked. Bridge also highlighted Simons’ youth and the challenges he faces adapting to the Premier League. "We forget how young he is and how difficult it is to move to the Premier League.
So it's been a bit of an up and down first season for him. He's been in the side, out of the side, he showed more glimpses when he was playing in the Champions League for Spurs this season. Over the last few weeks, under Roberto De Zerbi, he's really coming into his own. 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," Bridge explained. Simons himself responded to the setback with a mixture of determination and humility. "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," he posted, promising to support his teammates from the sidelines. The broader context of Tottenham’s season cannot be ignored. The club, which has enjoyed a 49‑year stay in the top flight, now faces the spectre of relegation for the first time since the 1970s.
The injury list, which now includes Simons, Kudus, Romero, Kulusevski, and Maddison, has been described by pundits as "absolutely ridiculous" and has sparked calls for a thorough review of the club’s training, medical protocols, and perhaps even its recruitment strategy. Beyond the immediate sporting impact, Simons’ injury also removes a potential star from the Dutch national team’s World Cup roster. The Netherlands, hoping to build on their strong performances in recent tournaments, will need to look elsewhere for creative midfield options, a loss that could affect their tactical flexibility on the world stage. In summary, Xavi Simons’ ACL rupture is a devastating blow for both Tottenham Hotspur and the Dutch national team.
It underscores a season riddled with misfortune for Spurs, intensifies the battle to avoid relegation, and raises serious questions about the club’s injury prevention measures. As the medical team prepares for surgery and a long rehab process, the focus now shifts to how De Zerbi will reorganise his squad, how the club will manage the financial strain of high‑earners on the sidelines, and whether Tottenham can summon enough collective resilience to survive the final stretch of the Premier League season.