Dejan Kulusevski reveals 'idol' that helped Tottenham star through long-term injury

The winger was out for 18 months with a patella problem that he had picked up on the final day of the 2024-25 season against Crystal Palace, after a collision with the Eagles’ captain Marc Guehi in the first half.

The injury forced the Swede to sit out of Spurs’ Europa League triumph over Manchester United in Bilbao - something Kulusevski brands “one of the hardest days of my life” - and he told his mother that he did not think he would play again.

However, he has finally made his long-anticipated return to action, taking to the field during the 3-1 win over Coventry City at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where he received a rapturous ovation.

Back: Dejan Kulusevski

PA

The forward then made a cameo appearance late on in the 2-0 victory at Chelsea last weekend, and he will be looking to break into Roberto De Zerbi’s starting XI in light of injuries to Savio, James Maddison, Xavi Simons and Wilson Odobert.

In an interview with Spurs’ official club media, Kulusevski called his wife Eldina his “idol” for her support on his comeback trail.

"My wife is my idol,” he said.

“What she's doing with the kids is amazing.

“The first time I saw her, it was special. After that, you just know. People ask me, 'How do you know that she's the right one?'

“But when you just know, you just know, and you don't have to think about it anymore. She's been the closest to seeing how it's been with me because she's been my partner. She's the best.”

Long-awaited: Dejan Kulusevski

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The former Juventus wide man revealed that he went home to Sweden for part of his recovery, which was a catalyst to his comeback.

"I did my rehab with my friends, literally with my friends in Sweden,” he continued.

“We followed the instructions. I went to a physio in Sweden. He was able to change my nervous system. Then it felt different.

“When I did the exercises, I said, 'I don't have pain. This hurt yesterday. Why is this not hurting today?' I did the next exercise and said, 'This is not hurting.'

“I went into the room to my wife. I told her, 'It's over. We're going to do this.' From one day to the next, it was just better. There was still pain, but it was different. Now I had control over my leg."