On May 11, 2025, Dejan Kulusevski injured his knee in the Premier League match against Crystal Palace and shortly afterwards underwent surgery.
The road back has been fraught with setbacks and the international midfielder has missed everything with Spurs - including the World Cup this summer. However, at the end of August, Kulusevski announced that he was back in full training with Tottenham, and coach Roberto De Zerbi believes that the attacking midfielder could be back in action after the ongoing Nations League training camp.
“Deserves it”
He deserves it. He has fought incredibly well and is an incredible machine. I'm just happy to see him back and we can all agree that we can't wait for him to be back here too and get to represent the national team, says Tottenham's Lucas Bergvall during Sweden's gathering in Stockholm.
Bergvall says he himself does not know when Kulusevski can play again.
"He's doing incredibly well and of course it's been tough for him. He hasn't played football and done what he loves for a long time, but he's incredibly professional and takes steps every day. Incredibly happy for him," says the 20-year-old.
Teammate Yasin Ayari is with Kulusevski's sister and a couple of weeks before the World Cup, the couple became parents to a daughter.
"He's been incredibly strong throughout this journey. Not many people can wake up after going through so much and still be happy," the Brighton star said, continuing:
It's not normal. He's very strong mentally and I learn a lot when it comes to that from him too.
“Spreading love”
Ayari says he has never worried about Kulusevski losing his physicality during his rehabilitation, and is most impressed by how the 26-year-old has handled the setbacks.
He's always been in shape and taken care of his body. It's mostly the mental side - you see how strong he's been throughout this whole process and still managed to have a smile on his face after so long, when there's been adversity after adversity. To see that he's always happy and spreading love and joy, says the 22-year-old.
Sweden defeated Romania on Friday night in the Nations League opener with a score of 2-1. Poland awaits on Monday - that match will also be played at the national arena in Solna.
