Tottenham winger Dejan Kulusevski has given a raw and honest account of the knee injury that kept him out for 526 days. He revealed he came close to giving up the game altogether. Speaking in a new documentary-style video for Tottenham’s official channels, titled “Dejan Kulusevski: 526 Days”, the Swedish international said he once told his mother: “I don’t think I can play anymore.”
Quick answer: Kulusevski badly damaged his knee in a collision on the final day of the 2024-25 season. His cartilage broke and part of it couldn’t be repaired. After two operations and 526 days out, he returned this month with substitute appearances against Coventry and Chelsea. He says the lowest point came when he told his mother he might have to retire.
What Kulusevski said
Kulusevski said the injury happened early in a match. The warm-up went well, then he took a hit about 10 minutes in. At first the pain felt manageable, but he could feel his knee “moving too much”. Scans later showed that his cartilage had broken and moved into another part of the knee. Part of it was gone, and surgeons could not repair it.
The physical damage brought a mental low. Kulusevski said he started preparing his mother for the possibility that his career was over, telling her: “I don’t think I can play anymore.” ESPN also reported that he described struggling with everyday tasks such as climbing stairs during the worst months.
Since his return he has described the comeback as almost unbelievable. “The journey felt impossible,” he said, adding that he had “been working harder than you can ever imagine” and now feels like a “different man”.
Missing Tottenham’s Europa League glory
One of the hardest moments came in May 2025, when Spurs beat Manchester United to win the Europa League, the club’s first major trophy in 17 years. Kulusevski was there on crutches, but he couldn’t go up to collect his medal because the podium was too slippery. He couldn’t fly home afterwards and stayed in Barcelona. He said that watching his team-mates’ open-top bus celebrations from afar was the toughest part, and that he felt very alone.
The injury also cost him Sweden’s World Cup campaign.
Injury timeline
| When | What happened |
|---|---|
| May 2025 | Knee injury in a collision on the final day of the Premier League season; first surgery |
| May 2025 | Misses Tottenham’s Europa League final win over Manchester United |
| 2025-26 season | Misses the entire campaign after several setbacks |
| March 2026 | Second procedure puts him on the road to recovery |
| Summer 2026 | Misses Sweden’s World Cup campaign |
| October 2026 | Returns as an 87th-minute substitute in Spurs’ 3-1 win over Coventry, then features against Chelsea |
The comeback
Kulusevski’s return was one of the most emotional moments of Tottenham’s season. He came on in the 87th minute of the 3-1 win over Coventry at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. It was Spurs’ first Premier League win of the campaign and lifted them off the bottom of the table. A short cameo against Chelsea followed. Head coach Roberto De Zerbi has been careful not to rush him, slowly building his minutes as he regains match sharpness.
What’s next for Kulusevski and Spurs
Tottenham face Crystal Palace this weekend, looking for a third straight win. Kulusevski is expected to keep coming off the bench as he gets back to full fitness. At his best he was one of Spurs’ most creative players, so his return could be a big boost to their recovery up the table.
For more football, see our Ballon d’Or 2026 winners story, featuring former Spurs striker Harry Kane.
Frequently asked questions
How long was Dejan Kulusevski out injured?
526 days, roughly 17 months, from May 2025 to his return in October 2026.
What was Kulusevski’s injury?
A serious knee injury. His cartilage broke and moved inside the joint, and part of it could not be repaired. He needed two operations.
Did Kulusevski consider retiring?
Yes. He says he told his mother, “I don’t think I can play anymore”, as he prepared her for the possibility.
When did Kulusevski return for Tottenham?
He came on in the 87th minute of Tottenham’s 3-1 Premier League win over Coventry, then played briefly against Chelsea.
Sources: Tottenham Hotspur (“526 Days”), Goal (via Yahoo Sports), ESPN, Flashscore/AFP, beIN Sports.
