Tottenham Hotspur have been dealt a major blow in their fight against relegation after confirming that midfielder Xavi Simons has suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), ruling him out for the remainder of the season and this summer’s World Cup.
The Netherlands international sustained the injury during Spurs’ 1-0 Premier League victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, their first league win of 2026.
Simons went down in the 58th minute after a collision with Wolves defender Hugo Bueno, clutching his right knee. Although he briefly attempted to continue, the 23-year-old collapsed again moments later and was stretchered off the pitch.
In a statement on Monday, Tottenham confirmed the severity of the injury, revealing that Simons will undergo surgery in the coming weeks before beginning rehabilitation.
The setback leaves Spurs without one of their few creative outlets at a critical stage of the season. The club currently sits just two points above the relegation zone with four matches remaining, heightening fears of a first drop from the top flight in nearly five decades.
Simons’ absence compounds an already growing injury crisis under manager Roberto De Zerbi, who has also lost captain Cristian Romero and summer signing Mohammed Kudus to season-ending injuries.
The Dutch playmaker had recently begun to find form, including a standout goal in a draw against Brighton, and was expected to play a key role in Tottenham’s survival push.
In an emotional message posted on social media, Simons expressed his disappointment at the injury, which also ends his hopes of representing the Netherlands at the World Cup.
“My season has come to an abrupt end… I’m heartbroken. All I wanted was to fight for my team, and now that’s been taken away, along with the World Cup,” he said
Simons joined Tottenham in a £52 million deal and had endured an inconsistent debut season, but recent performances suggested he was becoming central to De Zerbi’s plans.
With key players sidelined and limited depth available, Tottenham now face a daunting task to secure Premier League safety in the final weeks of the campaign.