Tottenham forward Dejan Kulusevski has credited his wife Eldina as his "idol" for the support she gave him during his recovery from a serious knee injury. The winger was sidelined for 18 months with a patella problem sustained on the final day of the 2024-25 season against Crystal Palace, following a first-half collision with Eagles captain Marc Guehi.
Long Road Back from Injury
The injury forced the Sweden international to miss Spurs' Europa League triumph over Manchester United in Bilbao, a period Kulusevski described as "one of the hardest days of my life." He told his mother he did not think he would play again.
Kulusevski has now made his return to action, appearing in the 3-1 win over Coventry City at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where he received a rapturous ovation. He then made a late cameo in the 2-0 victory at Chelsea last weekend.
Wife's Support and Recovery in Sweden
Speaking to Spurs' official club media, Kulusevski praised Eldina's role throughout his comeback. "My wife is my idol," he said. "What she's doing with the kids is amazing."
The former Juventus winger also revealed he returned to Sweden for part of his rehabilitation, which proved pivotal. "I did my rehab with my friends, literally with my friends in Sweden," he said. "We followed the instructions. I went to a physio in Sweden. He was able to change my nervous system."
Kulusevski added: "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." He is now aiming to break into Roberto De Zerbi's starting XI amid injuries to Savio, James Maddison, Xavi Simons and Wilson Odobert.
