The Tottenham Hotspur attacker is making progress after so long out of the game says his international team-mate and friend
Dejan Kulusevski's mental strength is "incredible" believes his Sweden team-mate Yasin Ayari as the Tottenham star edges towards a return to the game he loves.
Kulusevski has been out of action since May 2025 with a complicated injury suffered to the patella in his right knee in a Premier League match against Crystal Palace. Due to a couple of setbacks during his recovery, the 26-year-old missed an entire season of his career as well as seeing his World Cup dreams scuppered.
After 477 days out, the Swede returned to full training with Roberto De Zerbi's squad earlier this month and after picking up a small problem as his body adjusted to regular high tempo football again, which meant a brief pause, he was back with his Spurs team-mates again this week.
Sweden boss Graham Potter chose not to call up Kulusevski for this international break to ensure he maintains his progress at his own pace at Hotspur Way.
Brighton star and Kulusevski's friend Ayari, who is also the partner of his sister Sandra, was asked about the Tottenham man's progress while on international duty this week.
"He's started training and is making progress. I'm happy for him, that he can come back and do what he loves. I just hope that things will go well when he's 100 percent. He's always been in shape and taken care of his body," the 22-year-old was quoted as saying by Fotbollskanalen.
"It's mostly mental, to see how mentally strong he's been during this process. That he's managed to keep a smile on his face even when it's taken so long. There's always been setbacks, but he always wakes up happy."
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He added: "It's incredible how strong he's been on this journey. Not many people can wake up and keep fighting after going through this much. He keeps fighting and is happy at the same time. When it comes down to it, it's not normal. He's very strong mentally. I learn a lot from that."
Ayari was asked when he believes Tottenham and Sweden fans will see Kulusevski back in action again on the international stage.
"I don't know. I don't see him every day," he admitted. "Hopefully soon. We've all missed him in the national team. Hopefully soon. It's hard for me to say. I don't see him every day, I just talk to him.
"I hope soon. He's back on the training ground, so step by step we hope he'll be back. When he's back he'll be a 100 [per cent]."