'Difficult to treat' - Dejan Kulusevski's injury explained as Sweden doctor lifts lid on World Cup heartbreak

The doctor of the Swedish national team has explained the "long story" which has left Spurs star Dejan Kulusevski absent from football for more than a year.

Kulusevski suffered a knee injury at the end of the 2024/25 season and missed Spurs' Europa League final triumph over Manchester United in Bilbao after undergoing surgery.

On his crutches, he joined in the celebrations at the San Mames Stadium but fast forward a year and he was still on the sidelines for Spurs' final game of the season as Roberto Di Zerbi's men beat Everton 1-0 to avoid relegation on the final day.

While he longer required crutches as he walked on to the pitch and applauded Spurs fans, the former Juventus star failed to make a single appearance in the 2025/26 campaign.

His last game came against Crystal Palace in May 2025 but there was hope from Sweden manager Graham Potter that he would be fit to play a part in the 2026 World Cup.

It was not possible, however, with Sweden doctor Jonas Werner revealing the extent of Kulusevski's injury issues despite him working tirelessly to be fit for the tournament in North America.

"It's been a long story with Dejan," Werner said, as per Fotbollskanalen.

"He's done everything he can to get ready, but when it came to deciding [if he would make the squad] he wasn't. The reason is that he hasn't played football in a year, but even the medical assessments made this spring have pointed in the direction that he wouldn't be ready.

"Cartilage injuries, like in Dejan's case, are troublesome. They are difficult to treat. Plus, he has it in a place that gets a lot of stress. The injury simply hasn't healed enough to handle that stress.”

Kulusevski has been out for more than a year. Image: Getty

Spurs have been plagued by long-term injuries to the likes of Kulusevski, James Maddison and Mohamed Kudus in recent times - with neither returning to the pitch after their lay-offs.

However, despite the delay, Werner believes Kulusevski will play again as he stated, “I have high hopes for that and I really hope so.”

Kulusevski had previously said he would "bet on myself" to be in contention for the World Cup but it wasn't to be."

Premier League stars Alexander Isak, Viktor Gyokeres Anthony Elanga and Kulusevski's Spurs teammate Lucas Bergvall all feature in Potter's 26-man squad.

Sweden take on Norway and Greece in warm-up friendly fixtures, before they kick off their World Cup campaign against Tunisia on 14 June.

Their next fixture in Group F is a clash against the Netherlands on 20 June, before they take on Tunisia six days later.