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'Heartbroken' Simons to miss rest of Spurs' season and the World Cup

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Xavi Simons said he was "heartbroken" as it was confirmed he will miss the rest of Tottenham's season and the World Cup, after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament.

Simons was carried off on a stretcher during the second half of Spurs' 1-0 win over Wolves at Molineux on Saturday, having gone down following a collision with Hugo Bueno.

The Netherlands international was initially helped back to his feet before going down again, with Lucas Bergvall taking his place in the 63rd minute.

Reports soon suggested Simons had sustained a serious knee injury, and he will be out until 2027 after his club confirmed that news on Monday.

Spurs, who are battling against the prospect of a surprise relegation to the Championship, said in a statement that Simons will undergo surgery in the coming weeks.

Spurs' victory over Wolves, sealed by Joao Palhinha's late goal, was not enough to lift them out of the relegation zone due to West Ham beating Everton 2-1. The Opta supercomputer still assigns Roberto De Zerbi's team a 59% chance of the drop with four games remaining.

And Simons will also miss the chance to represent the Netherlands at a second World Cup. The Oranje will face Japan, Sweden and Tunisia in Group F, starting on June 14.

"They say life can be cruel and today it feels that way," Simons wrote in an Instagram post. "My season has come to an abrupt end and I'm just trying to process it.

"Honestly, I'm heartbroken. None of it makes sense. 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. It'll take time to find peace with this, but I'll continue to be the best team-mate I can be. I have no doubt that together, we'll win this fight.

"I'll walk this path now, guided by faith, with strength, with resilience, with belief, as I count down the days to getting back out there. Be patient with me."

Simons has arguably underwhelmed since making a big-money move from RB Leipzig last year, though his 11 goal involvements in all competitions this season are still the second-most of any Spurs player (five goals, six assists), behind Richarlison's 15 (10 goals, five assists).