Dutch attacking midfielder is another World Cup absentee

Dutch attacking midfielder is another World Cup absentee

Dutch midfielder Xavi Simons, of Tottenham, announced on his social media that he is out of the World Cup due to an injury to his right knee.

The injury occurred last Saturday during the 1-0 win over Wolverhampton in the Premier League. The incident happened while contesting the ball, without any contact with the opposing defender.

Although Tottenham have not disclosed the clinical details, English media outlets report that there is suspicion of ligament damage. Even without the club’s official diagnosis, the 23-year-old player has already confirmed the end of his dream of playing in his second World Cup.

In 2022, in Qatar, he played only the final minutes of the Netherlands’ 3-1 victory over the United States in the round of 16.

In a post on Instagram, the player shared a lengthy message about the pain of having his season brought to an abrupt halt.

The Netherlands are in World Cup Group F, alongside Japan, Sweden, and Tunisia.

Below is the full statement released by the player:

They say life can be cruel, and today that’s exactly how I feel. My season has come to an abrupt end, and I’m just trying to process it. Honestly, I’m heartbroken. None of this makes sense. All I wanted was to fight for my team, and now the chance to do that has been taken from me… along with the World Cup. Representing my country this summer… it’s simply over. It will take time for me to find peace with this, but I will continue to be the best teammate I can be. I have no doubt that, together, we will win this fight. I will walk this path now, guided by faith, with strength, with resilience, with conviction, as I count the days until I return to the pitch. Please be patient with me.