Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Xavi Simons has been ruled out for the remainder of the Premier League season and the 2023 World Cup after suffering a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). The 23-year-old Netherlands international sustained the injury during Tottenham's 1-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday and is expected to be sidelined for approximately eight months.
Simons was stretchered off the pitch at Molineux in the 63rd minute after twisting his knee while chasing a ball near the byline. The injury is a devastating setback for both the player and the club, as Spurs manager Roberto De Zerbi had been relying on Simons' creativity to aid the team's battle against relegation. Despite the win over Wolves—their first in 16 Premier League matches—Tottenham remain 18th in the table, two points adrift of 17th-placed West Ham United with only four games remaining.
De Zerbi's squad has been severely depleted by injuries, with nine players unavailable for the Wolves match. Additionally, striker Dominic Solanke was forced off during the game with a muscle problem. Tottenham's next fixture is an away encounter at Aston Villa on Sunday.
In an emotional Instagram post, Simons expressed his heartbreak: "They say life can be cruel and today it feels that way. My season has come to an abrupt end and I'm just trying to process it. Honestly, I'm heartbroken. None of it makes sense. 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."
Tottenham confirmed in a statement that Simons will undergo surgery in the coming weeks and will then begin rehabilitation under the club's medical team. The statement added: "Everyone at Tottenham Hotspur sends Xavi our love and support—we will be with him every step of the way."
