Key Takeaways
- Xavi Simons will miss the rest of the season and the 2026 World Cup after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament.
- The midfielder suffered the injury during Tottenham Hotspur’s 1-0 victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.
- This setback damages Spurs’ chances of avoiding relegation from the Premier League.
Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Xavi Simons says he is “heartbroken” after suffering a season-ending knee injury. The Netherlands international confirmed he will miss the remainder of the campaign and this summer’s World Cup.
The 23-year-old damaged his right knee during Saturday’s 1-0 victory at Wolverhampton Wanderers. The incident occurred in the 58th minute following a challenge with defender Hugo Bueno. Simons attempted to continue playing but collapsed on the pitch. Medical staff carried him off on a stretcher.
The club confirmed on Monday that Simons has ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). He will undergo surgery within the next few weeks before starting rehabilitation with Tottenham’s medical team.
Simons shared his disappointment on social media on Sunday evening. “They say life can be cruel and today it feels that way,” he wrote. “Honestly, I’m heartbroken. 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 £52 million signing joined from Paris Saint-Germain but has endured a difficult first year in English football. He showed promise under previous manager Thomas Frank but struggled for game time under Igor Tudor. Recently, he had found form under Roberto De Zerbi, scoring a spectacular goal against Brighton and Hove Albion.
This injury deals a severe blow to Tottenham’s survival hopes. The club sits two points below the safety line with only four matches remaining. They have already lost captain Cristian Romero and winger Mohammed Kudus to long-term injuries this season.
Simons added that he will support his team-mates during his recovery. “I’ll continue to be the best team-mate I can be,” he said. “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.”
Football analysts note that the timing could not be worse for the North London side. At 23 years old, Simons offered individual brilliance and creativity that the squad lacks. His absence leaves De Zerbi with few alternatives as Spurs fight to avoid their first relegation in 49 years.