Dejan Kulusevski has revealed that Zlatan Ibrahimovic sent him a one-word message, "Bravo", after the Tottenham winger returned from an 18-month injury lay-off.
The Sweden international made his comeback in Spurs' 1-0 victory over Coventry last month, receiving a rousing ovation as he came on in the dying embers of the match. Kulusevski had feared the complex knee injury would end his playing career at just 26 years of age.
Advice from Ibrahimovic and Perisic
Kulusevski told Swedish outlet Fotbollskanalen that Ibrahimovic and former Tottenham teammate Ivan Perisic advised him to visit a doctor in Serbia during his recovery.
"Zlatan and Perisic wanted me to go [visit a doctor in Serbia]," he explained. "I went, and the Serbian doctor was important for me."
"He said: 'Don't think about other operations, this is what we're going to do.'"
Recent Appearances and International Return
Kulusevski has since made three more substitute appearances under Roberto De Zerbi, in victories against Chelsea and Crystal Palace, and in the 1-0 defeat by Leeds at Elland Road last weekend.
The former Juventus man had spoken of his disappointment at not receiving a World Cup call-up last summer, with Sweden boss Graham Potter opting against picking him. He is now back with his national team for Sweden's final two Nations League games this week, against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Poland.
