The Tottenham Hotspur star has confirmed a successful surgical procedure on his right knee, declaring his unwavering intent to represent Sweden in the 2026 World Cup this summer
Tottenham Hotspur supporters have spent nearly a year speculating on the status of their versatile playmaker, but Dejan Kulusevski has finally provided the clarity the fanbase has craved.
The Spurs star has finally addressed the mystery surrounding his prolonged absence. Kulusevski has been sidelined since the conclusion of the 2024/25 campaign, missing the entirety of the current season.
However, the Sweden international revealed that his recent disappearance from the pitch was a tactical choice aimed at long-term health, involving a minor surgical intervention to finally address a lingering issue in his right knee.
While images of the winger limping in recent weeks sparked significant concern across London and Stockholm, Kulusevski was quick to reframe the narrative.
He explained that the medical procedure was not a setback, but rather a clean-up designed to accelerate his return to elite competition.
Dejan Kulusevski on Instagram explaining why he was limping yesterday. pic.twitter.com/pYivmVywSX
— Alasdair Gold (@AlasdairGold) March 26, 2026
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The motivation behind this medical gamble is singular: the 2026 World Cup. Kulusevski described the upcoming months as the most important of his career, viewing his recovery as a high-stakes competition in its own right.
He signalled that the defensive phase of his rehabilitation is over, and he is now transitioning into an offensive push to regain match fitness before the tournament kicks off in North America this June.
The winger’s confidence appears unshaken by his year-long layoff, as he emphasised that his perspective has shifted from frustration to anticipation.
“One hundred percent. Yes. That is the driving force I have. To have that opportunity is completely fantastic. It is a challenge that I so far have not been able to overcome considering getting healthy, but it is not over yet. It is now the second match begins,” Kulusevski told Sportbladet.
Despite the anxiety felt by Tottenham fans who have missed his presence in the final third, the player remains convinced that the “small procedure” was the definitive turning point.
He dismissed the public worry as being for the “wrong reason,” asserting that the surgery was a positive development that has finally allowed him to see the light at the end of a dark season.
“I understand that people became worried,” Kulusevski added. “But it was really for the wrong reason. It was really positive that I did this small procedure and that we could find the problem.
“Now everything should be solved. Now it is just to slowly and surely come back. I can see the light. It feels better now. I really have a positive feeling with these two important matches and a World Cup in two–three months. That is how the book and the chapter will end. That I am convinced of.”
