Tottenham Hotspur and Netherlands midfielder Xavi Simons has revealed that his football season has "come to an abrupt end" after suffering a serious knee injury that is set to rule him out of the FIFA World Cup. The 23-year-old took to Instagram to express his heartbreak, stating that the ability to fight for his team and represent his country at the World Cup has been "snatched away."

Simons was injured during Tottenham's 1-0 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, leaving the pitch on a stretcher in the 63rd minute. Early reports indicate an injury to his right anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). The Dutch international was seen clutching his right knee in pain.

"They say life can be cruel and today it feels that way. My season has come to an abrupt end and I'm just trying to process it. Honestly, I'm heartbroken… 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," he wrote.

Simons was expected to play a key role for Ronald Koeman's Netherlands squad in what would have been his second World Cup after his debut in 2022. He has earned 34 caps, most recently in friendlies last month. The injury is also a major blow for Tottenham during their difficult Premier League season, as the North London side sits 18th on 34 points, just two points above the relegation zone.

He joins a growing list of key players likely to miss part of the upcoming World Cup, including Spain's Lamine Yamal, Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, and French forward Hugo Ekitike.

Source: www.aljazeera.com