Xavi Simons Ruled Out for Season and World Cup After ACL Injury

Tottenham Hotspur have confirmed that Xavi Simons will miss the remainder of the season and the upcoming World Cup after suffering a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee.

The Netherlands international sustained the injury during Spurs’ 1–0 Premier League victory away to Wolverhampton Wanderers, dealing a significant blow to both club and country.

Club Confirms Surgery and Rehabilitation Plan

In an official statement, Tottenham announced that the 23-year-old midfielder will undergo surgery in the coming weeks before beginning a lengthy rehabilitation programme.

“We can confirm that Xavi Simons has ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee,” the club said.

“The injury occurred during the second half of our Premier League fixture at Wolverhampton Wanderers.

“Xavi will undergo surgery and subsequently commence rehabilitation with our medical team. Everyone at Tottenham Hotspur sends him our full support.”

Injury Incident and Immediate Aftermath

Simons went down clutching his knee in the 58th minute following a collision with Wolves defender Hugo Bueno. Although he initially attempted to continue, he was unable to do so and was eventually stretchered off the pitch at Molineux.

The match itself marked Tottenham’s first league victory of 2026, but the result was overshadowed by the severity of the midfielder’s injury.

Player Reacts to Devastating Setback

In a message shared on social media, Simons expressed his disappointment at the abrupt end to his season and his inability to represent the Netherlands at the World Cup.

“They say life can be cruel, and today it feels that way. My season has come to an abrupt end and I’m trying to process it,” he wrote.

“Honestly, I’m heartbroken. All I wanted was to fight for my team, and now that opportunity has been taken away, along with the chance to play at the World Cup.”

He added: “It will take time to come to terms with this, but I will continue to support the team in every way I can. I have full belief that we will overcome this challenge together.”

Major Blow for Tottenham’s Campaign

Simons’ absence represents a significant setback for Tottenham and head coach Roberto De Zerbi, who has already lost key players including Cristian Romero and Mohammed Kudus to long-term injuries.

The Dutch playmaker had endured a mixed debut season in England, showing glimpses of his quality earlier in the campaign before facing periods of limited involvement. However, he had begun to re-establish himself as an important figure under De Zerbi, highlighted by a standout goal in a 2–2 draw against Brighton.

Relegation Battle Intensifies

Tottenham are currently locked in a tense relegation battle and face a crucial run-in as they attempt to overturn a narrow points deficit to 17th-placed West Ham United.

With four league matches remaining, Simons’ absence further complicates Spurs’ efforts to secure their Premier League status and avoid a first relegation in nearly five decades.

Support from National Team

The Netherlands national team also issued a message of encouragement, expressing confidence that Simons will recover strongly from the setback.

While his immediate focus will be on rehabilitation, the midfielder remains determined to return stronger and resume his career at the highest level.