Tottenham Hotspur have confirmed that their talented Dutch midfielder Xavi Simons has suffered a complete rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and will require surgery. The injury forces the 23‑year‑old to miss the remainder of the 2025‑26 Premier League campaign as well as the upcoming World Cup, dealing a severe blow to the club’s fight for survival. The incident occurred in the 58th minute of Tottenham’s 1‑0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on Saturday.
Simons was involved in a challenge with Wolves defender Hugo Bueno, fell to the ground clutching his knee and, despite attempting to get up and continue, collapsed again in front of the club’s medical team. He was subsequently taken off the pitch on a stretcher. In a post‑match Instagram update, Simons announced that he would be unavailable for the final four league fixtures and would also miss the summer tournament with the Netherlands.
He described the situation as “cruel” and expressed heartbreak at having his season cut short and his World Cup hopes snatched away. Tottenham’s official statement, released on Monday morning, confirmed the seriousness of the injury and confirmed that Simons will undergo an operation in the coming weeks before beginning a rehabilitation programme under the guidance of the club’s medical staff. The loss of a player who arrived in London for a reported £52 million fee adds to a growing list of injuries that have plagued De Zerbi’s side.
Earlier in the season, summer signing Mohammed Kudus and captain Cristian Romero were ruled out for the rest of the campaign, leaving Spurs two points adrift of safety with only four games remaining. The club now faces the prospect of sliding into the relegation zone for the first time in 49 years. Simons’ debut season in England has been a roller‑coaster. After a promising start under interim 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, notably delivering a spectacular long‑range strike in a 2‑2 draw with Brighton that highlighted his technical ability and creative spark. With his ACL injury, Simons will be unable to contribute to Tottenham’s desperate push to overturn the two‑point deficit to West Ham United, who currently sit in 17th place. In his own words, the midfielder 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, resilience and belief as I count down the days to getting back out there. Be patient with me." Former Spurs manager Tim Sherwood, speaking to Sky Sports, warned that injuries have derailed Tottenham all season and suggested that the club needs to examine why so many non‑contact soft‑tissue problems have arisen.
He warned that the cumulative effect could ultimately cost the club its Premier League status. Sky Sports reporter Michael Bridge echoed these concerns, noting that even if Spurs were to be relegated, they would still retain high‑profile players such as James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski and Simons himself, whose contracts and wages would pose a significant financial burden in the Championship. Bridge questioned the medical handling of Simons’ injury, recalling seeing the player attempt to walk off the pitch despite the severity of the damage.
Bridge also highlighted Simons’ youth and the challenges he faces adapting to English football. He praised the Dutchman’s recent performances, especially his goal against Brighton, describing it as "absolutely stunning" and a glimpse of the creativity that Tottenham will miss in the weeks ahead.
With limited depth on the bench, the Spurs squad will have to rely on other players to fill the creative void, a task made harder by the extensive injury list. The broader context of Tottenham’s season cannot be ignored. The club entered the campaign with high expectations after a costly summer transfer window, only to be hampered by a cascade of setbacks.
Defensive frailties, midfield inconsistency, and now a spate of injuries have left the team scrambling for points. The loss of Simons, a player capable of unlocking defenses with his dribbling, vision and shooting, further diminishes the team’s attacking options. Looking ahead, the club’s medical team will focus on Simons’ rehabilitation, aiming for a full recovery that could see him return to action next season. ACL reconstruction typically requires six to nine months of intensive physiotherapy, followed by gradual re‑integration into training.
Simons’ determination, as expressed in his statements, suggests he will approach the process with the same professionalism that earned him a place at Tottenham. For now, Tottenham supporters must brace for a challenging final stretch of the Premier League. The club will need to rally its remaining squad, adjust tactics, and perhaps rely on the experience of senior players to navigate the relegation battle.
The situation also raises questions about the club’s medical protocols and whether changes are needed to prevent further non‑contact injuries. In summary, Xavi Simons’ ACL rupture not only ends his inaugural season in England but also removes a key creative force from Tottenham’s lineup at a critical juncture. The injury underscores the broader injury crisis afflicting the club and intensifies the pressure on De Zerbi to find solutions that keep Spurs in the top flight. The coming weeks will test the resilience of both the players and the organization as they confront the dual challenges of on‑field performance and off‑field recovery.