Nederlands international Xavi Simons has been ruled out for the remainder of the season and will miss the upcoming World Cup after sustaining a serious knee injury.
The 23-year-old attacking midfielder suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture during Tottenham Hotspur’s 1–0 Premier League victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday. The injury occurred in the second half following a collision with Wolves defender Hugo Bueno. Although Simons initially attempted to continue, he collapsed again shortly afterwards and was subsequently stretchered off the pitch.
Medical examinations later confirmed a rupture of the ACL in his right knee. Tottenham Hotspur have stated that Simons will undergo surgery in the coming weeks, followed by a structured rehabilitation programme under the club’s medical department.
In an official update, Tottenham confirmed:
“We can confirm that Xavi Simons has suffered a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. He will undergo surgery in the coming weeks, after which he will begin his rehabilitation with our medical staff.”
Simons also responded publicly via social media, stating:
“People say life can be cruel, and today it certainly feels that way. The season has suddenly stopped, and I am still trying to accept it. Honestly, I am very down.”
ACL injuries typically require a recovery period of at least six to nine months, depending on rehabilitation progress. The World Cup is scheduled to begin on 11 June, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The Netherlands are set to open their campaign against Japan on 14 June in Group F.
Tottenham, who are currently involved in a relegation battle, have four league matches remaining. After 34 matches, they sit 18th in the Premier League table with 34 points, two points behind 17th-placed West Ham United, who have 36 points from the same number of games.
Simons’ 2025–26 Season Statistics
| Competition | Appearances | Starts | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tottenham Hotspur (all competitions) | 41 | — | 5 |
| Premier League | 28 | 19 | — |
| Netherlands national team | 34 | — | 6 |
This season, Simons has been a regular feature in Tottenham’s squad, starting 19 of his 28 league appearances. However, his overall goal contribution has remained limited across competitions.
Tottenham Premier League Standing
| Team | Matches | Points | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tottenham Hotspur | 34 | 34 | 18th |
| West Ham United | 34 | 36 | 17th |
The ACL injury to Simons adds to a growing list of high-profile players affected by similar setbacks ahead of the World Cup. Several players have already been ruled out, including Brazil winger Rodrygo, Hugo Ekitike of France, Argentina’s Juan Foyth and Joaquin Panichelli, and Germany’s Serge Gnabry.
Concerns also remain over the availability of several other leading players, including Lamine Yamal, Mohamed Salah, Estevao, Arda Güler and Éder Militão. Salah recently sustained a hamstring injury while playing for Liverpool, raising doubts over his participation for the remainder of the season.