The Swedish attacker has been out for more than a year but was back at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for Spurs' final game of the Premier League season
Tottenham star Dejan Kulusevski says he is fighting for the moment "I get to do what I love most again" and spoke about "not knowing what comes next" after a year out with his knee injury.
The 26-year-old suffered a complicated patella injury in his right knee after a challenge from then Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi in May 2025. The Swede underwent surgery and a later clean-up procedure this year as his attempts to come back to training at Hotspur Way at points during this season were met with discomfort in his knee.
After being spotted limping ny the media while visiting the Sweden international camp in March, Kulusevski made it clear that the clean-up procedure had temporarily caused that and the knee felt good. He signalled his intention to be fit for the World Cup but found out, on the year anniversary of his injury, that Graham Potter had not selected him in his squad for the showpiece tournament across the Atlantic this summer.
Kulusevski returned from his rehabilitation abroad to be on the sidelines for Tottenham's 1-0 win against Everton under Roberto De Zerbi on Sunday which saved the club's Premier League status.
On Monday, he posted a collection of images on Instagram, including him working in the gym, with the message: "If you were God and could dream any life you wanted, you’d begin with the most ecstatic adventures. But eventually, you’d crave surprise. You’d crave uncertainty. You’d dream the dream of not knowing what happens next — and that is the dream you’re living right now.
"Not the year I expected, but I keep fighting every day and holding on to the moment I get to do what I love most again."
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Sweden boss Potter had appeared to suggest his hope that Kulusevski could be back in action in time for Tottenham's return to Premier League action in August.
"I think we have to think about what is right for the team, that's important but also Dejan is in a place where he has had a long fight and he is making progress," the former Chelsea and Brighton coach said earlier this month.
"I think it's important now that this time he can really focus on getting himself ready for the start of the season. Dejan is at a stage where his rehab is so important and he has made some progress.
"I think the aim for him would be to start the next season with Tottenham, hit the ground running and to get back on the pitch and do the thing he loves. I think we have to be careful about that and ultimately that is the priority for him."