Kulusevski considered retirement before specialist recommended by Ibrahimović revived career

The 26-year-old Tottenham attacker made his long-awaited return to competitive action last week after a grueling 526-day absence. Kulusevski suffered a severe right knee injury away at Crystal Palace in matchday 36 of the 2024/2025 campaign, with subsequent complications sidelining him for the entirety of the following season.

Kulusevski made a late cameo on Monday, October 19, in a 3-1 victory over Coventry before featuring again on Saturday away against Chelsea (2-0). These marked his first competitive minutes on the pitch since May 11, 2025.

Speaking to the club's SpursPlay channel, the Swedish international revealed that he struggled with basic mobility for months following the injury. "More than a year had passed and I still couldn't walk down stairs like a normal person. Mentally, I never gave up and I wanted to play football, but I had to start thinking about what else I would do if it didn't work out," Kulusevski said, admitting he contemplated early retirement. "I sat down with my mum and told her: 'I don't think I'll ever be able to play again.' I had to prepare her for that reality."

A breakthrough arrived over the summer thanks to a specialist in Sweden recommended by former international teammate Zlatan Ibrahimović. "He managed to adjust my nervous system somehow, and I immediately felt different. When I did the exercises, the pain wasn't as intense. I kept building on that, and suddenly I told my wife that the worst was over and we were going to give it another go. The pain was still there, but it was different. I had control over my leg again, I started playing football, and every day got better," the former Juventus forward explained.

In an extensive interview, Kulusevski admitted that watching his side's Europa League final triumph from the sidelines was "probably the hardest part of the entire journey." The final in Bilbao against Manchester United took place just ten days after his collision with Marc Guéhi, at a point when Kulusevski could barely walk to the bathroom unaided.

"It was wonderful seeing everyone so happy, but it was incredibly tough for me. I couldn't even go up to collect my medal because the stage was too slippery. You feel completely isolated in moments like that and it's not a nice feeling, but I accepted it," Kulusevski added. Tottenham return to Premier League action on Saturday at home against Crystal Palace.