The Swedish international sustained the injury during Spurs’ Premier League clash with Crystal Palace on Sunday. Although early assessments by the club’s medical staff suggested the damage was not severe, Kulusevski’s condition worsened, prompting further evaluation. “It kind of blew up a day after,” head coach Ange Postecoglou revealed, reflecting on the sudden escalation. The 24-year-old subsequently had surgery on his right patella on Wednesday.
As a result, Kulusevski will miss next Wednesday’s Europa League final against Manchester United in Bilbao. The final offers not just silverware but also a place in next season’s Champions League for the winner—a prize Spurs now must pursue without several key figures.
Postecoglou described the development as “disappointing” and admitted uncertainty around whether Kulusevski will recover in time for the start of the 2025–26 season. His absence compounds Tottenham’s injury woes, with midfielders James Maddison and Lucas Bergvall also unavailable.
With crucial players sidelined, Spurs face a mounting challenge against an in-form United side. The timing of Kulusevski’s setback couldn’t be worse, and the club will now be relying on squad depth and tactical flexibility to navigate one of their most important fixtures in recent years.