Simons was battling with Wolves back Hugo Bueno when the Dutch midfielder fell to the ground, grabbing his knee and yelling in agony. Spurs' medical staff sent Simons back out after initial checks, after which he had to be stretchered off anyway.
Further tests confirmed a torn anterior cruciate ligament in Simons' right knee, ruling him out for up to 12 months and for the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
"They say life can be cruel and today it feels that way," Simons said in a post on Instagram, sharing the news. "My season has come to an abrupt end and I’m just trying to process it. Honestly, I’m heartbroken. None of it makes sense.
"All I’ve wanted to do is fight for my team and now the ability to do that has been snatched away from me… along with the World Cup. Representing my country this summer… just gone. It’ll take time to find peace with this, but I’ll continue to be the best teammate I can be. I have no doubt that together we’ll win this fight."
The 23-year-old Dutchman reassured manager Roberto de Zerbi at first, the latter stated following Spurs' crucial win: "I spoke with him, and he feels better than when he got his injury."
Xavi Simons had just found his stride for struggling Spurs, scoring twice and assisting another in his last 5 games for the Lilywhites. In 28 Premier League outings, Simons had scored 2 goals and assisted 5 since joining from RB Leipzig for a reported €65 million.
Injury headache
Simons' injury gives Netherlands manager Ronald Koeman even more headaches, with the FIFA World Cup just 45 days away.
Koeman has had to deal with many absences recently, with Frenkie de Jong, Emmanuel Emegha, Memphis Depay, Ryan Gravenberch, Robin Roefs, Matthijs de Ligt, Mark Flekken, and Jeremie Frimpong all missing the March friendlies against Ecuador and Norway.
PSV captain and Oranje midfielder Jerdy Schouten was already ruled out for the World Cup after tearing his ACL in early April, while De Ligt and Memphis are fighting to get fit in time for the tournament.
The Netherlands have been drawn into Group F with Japan, Sweden, and Tunisia at the World Cup. Oranje will play its opening match on Sunday, June 14th, against Japan.
