Tottenham Hotspur supporters have finally been given a deeper insight into the extraordinary injury battle endured by Dejan Kulusevski, with the Swedish international opening up about the physical and mental struggles that kept him away from football for 17 months.
Dejan Kulusevski has revealed just how difficult his prolonged knee injury became, admitting that there was a stage during his recovery when he questioned whether he would ever return to professional football.
The Tottenham midfielder’s latest interview has provided a remarkable insight into a period that was considerably more complicated than many supporters initially realised.
What was originally viewed as a relatively straightforward knee problem developed into a lengthy rehabilitation process involving surgery, repeated setbacks, pain and uncertainty.
However, after spending months searching for answers, Kulusevski eventually found a breakthrough through specialist physiotherapy in Sweden, helping him regain control of his leg and finally begin making progress towards a return.
His story is not simply about recovering from an injury. It is about resilience, family support, belief and the determination to continue fighting when the prospect of returning to football appeared increasingly distant.
Dejan Kulusevski Reveals Just How Bad His Tottenham Injury Became
Kulusevski’s injury problems can be traced back to May 2025, when he suffered a serious knee injury against Crystal Palace.
The Swedish international subsequently underwent surgery on his right patella, but his recovery did not follow the expected trajectory.
Instead of returning after a relatively routine rehabilitation period, the Tottenham attacker experienced multiple complications that significantly extended his absence.
According to his latest interview, the situation became so difficult that even everyday movements were affected.
One particularly revealing part of his account was his explanation that, more than a year into the process, he was still struggling to walk down stairs normally.
For a professional footballer whose career depends on explosive movement, balance, strength and confidence in his body, this demonstrated the extent of the problem.
Kulusevski explained that he knew he had to return to playing football, but also had to consider what would happen if his recovery did not work out.
That uncertainty was an enormous psychological challenge.
He was not simply trying to regain match fitness. He was attempting to overcome a problem that had taken away his ability to perform even basic movements comfortably.
The Swedish Physiotherapist Who Helped Change Everything
Perhaps the most interesting revelation from Kulusevski’s interview was the role played by a physiotherapist in Sweden.
After experiencing considerable difficulties with his rehabilitation, the Tottenham midfielder returned to Sweden and began working with friends and a specialist physiotherapist.
He explained that the treatment helped change the way his nervous system responded to movement.
This proved to be a significant turning point.
Kulusevski described how exercises that had previously caused discomfort suddenly began feeling different.
He recalled questioning why movements that had hurt the previous day were no longer producing the same pain.
Although he was still experiencing some discomfort, he began to feel that he had regained control of his leg.
That distinction was crucial.
Rather than continuing to struggle through rehabilitation without feeling that meaningful progress was being made, he finally had something positive to build upon.
Kulusevski explained that he went to his wife after experiencing the breakthrough and told her that they were going to get through it.
From that point onwards, his recovery began to gather momentum.
He described how his condition improved from one day to the next, allowing him to become stronger and gradually return to football-related activities.
It was the breakthrough he had been desperately searching for.
Dejan Kulusevski Admits He Thought He Might Never Play Football Again
Kulusevski getting substituted on after 526 days.
One of the most emotional aspects of Kulusevski’s injury story is the uncertainty he experienced away from the football pitch.
The Swedish international previously admitted that he had told people closest to him that his return might not happen.
His injury had become so frustrating that even he had to consider the possibility that his playing career could be seriously affected.
However, despite those doubts, he insisted that deep down he continued believing he would eventually return.
His dedication to rehabilitation was extraordinary.
Following his return against Coventry City in October 2026, Kulusevski revealed that he had been working for approximately ten hours every day when nobody was watching.
That commitment highlights the amount of work that went into his comeback.
Supporters see the final few minutes of a football match, but they rarely see the countless hours spent recovering, completing exercises and trying to rebuild confidence in an injured body.
Kulusevski’s story is a reminder of just how much professional athletes sacrifice behind the scenes.
His Wife and Family Played a Huge Role in His Recovery
Another important part of Kulusevski’s recent interviews has been his recognition of the people who supported him throughout the process.
The Tottenham midfielder has spoken particularly warmly about his wife, Eldina, describing her as his idol and praising the way she supported their family throughout his difficult recovery.
He explained that she was the person closest to him during the entire experience and had witnessed the difficulties he faced more than anybody else.
His comments demonstrate that the injury affected considerably more than his professional life.
While Kulusevski was unable to contribute on the pitch, he still had responsibilities away from football and needed to remain present for his family.
He also spoke about the importance of maintaining a positive attitude, continuing to spend time with teammates and supporting them despite being unable to play himself.
That required considerable mental strength.
For a player whose identity is so closely connected to football, being forced to watch from the sidelines for such a prolonged period would have been incredibly difficult.
Missing Tottenham’s Europa League Triumph Was One of His Hardest Moments
There was another particularly painful consequence of Kulusevski’s injury.
The Swedish international was unable to participate in Tottenham’s Europa League triumph in 2025.
Having played an important role in the club’s journey, watching his teammates lift the trophy without being able to contribute was an extremely difficult experience.
It was an opportunity that every professional footballer dreams of experiencing.
For Kulusevski, however, it became another reminder of everything his injury had taken away.
He also missed a substantial period of international football with Sweden.
Instead of representing his country and competing at the highest level, he was left concentrating entirely on getting his knee back to a condition that would allow him to play again.
Those missed opportunities cannot be recovered, but his return provides an opportunity to create new memories with Tottenham.
526 Days Later: Kulusevski Finally Returns to Tottenham Action
The moment Tottenham supporters had been waiting for finally arrived against Coventry City.
Kulusevski was introduced from the bench in the 87th minute of Tottenham’s 3-1 victory, making his first competitive appearance in 526 days.
The reception he received from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium crowd demonstrated just how much he had been missed.
It was an emotional moment for the player, supporters and everyone who had followed his rehabilitation.
Speaking after the match, Kulusevski described the experience as an amazing feeling and explained that he was grateful supporters had missed watching him play.
He also made it clear that he wanted to return as a better version of himself.
One of his most powerful messages was that the experience had changed him as a person.
He believes he is now a different man, although his desire to play football remains exactly the same.
Importantly, he also insisted that he was not nervous when he finally stepped onto the pitch.
Instead, he was ready to play and simply wanted to enjoy the moment.
His return was followed by another substitute appearance in Tottenham’s 2-0 victory over Chelsea, providing further encouragement that he is beginning to rebuild his match fitness.
What Dejan Kulusevski’s Return Means for Roberto De Zerbi and Tottenham
Kulusevski’s return could prove extremely important for Roberto De Zerbi as Tottenham look to improve their performances.
When fully fit, the Swedish international offers something different to Tottenham’s attacking options.
His ability to carry the ball, create opportunities, link midfield with attack and operate in several attacking positions makes him an extremely valuable player.
He also brings considerable experience and personality to a squad that has endured a difficult period.
However, Tottenham must be careful not to rush his recovery.
After 17 months away from competitive football, rebuilding his match sharpness will take time.
The priority must be ensuring that he can return consistently without experiencing another setback.
If De Zerbi can gradually reintegrate him into the starting XI, Tottenham could benefit enormously from having one of their most technically gifted players available again.
A Better Dejan Kulusevski Could Be Exactly What Tottenham Need
Perhaps the biggest takeaway from Kulusevski’s recent interviews is that his recovery has changed his perspective on football and life.
He has experienced the frustration of being unable to perform basic movements, the uncertainty of potentially never playing again and the disappointment of missing some of the biggest moments of his Tottenham career.
Yet he has come through the other side.
His message about becoming a better version of himself is particularly encouraging for Tottenham supporters.
The club have spent an enormous amount of time without a player who has previously demonstrated his importance to the team.
Now, with his return finally achieved, the next challenge is helping him rediscover his best football.
Kulusevski’s journey has been a reminder that not every injury recovery is straightforward and that the hardest battles are often fought away from the cameras.
After 526 days, Tottenham have their Swedish star back.
And if his determination throughout the rehabilitation process is anything to go by, he will be desperate to make up for lost time.
For Spurs supporters, the hope is that the worst chapter of Dejan Kulusevski’s career is finally behind him.
