Spurs' James Maddison Sustains ACL Damage, Expects to Miss Major Part of Upcoming Campaign
Tottenham Hotspur's James Maddison Suffers ACL Injury, Set for Lengthy Absence
Tottenham Hotspur midfielder James Maddison is expected to miss the majority, if not the entire 2025-26 season, after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee during a pre-season match.
The injury, which occurred during Spurs' draw against Newcastle United in South Korea last weekend, is the same knee that kept Maddison out of the Europa League final victory against Manchester United in May 2025. Maddison is scheduled for surgery imminently, and the recovery timeline ranges from 6 to 12 months.
Manager Thomas Frank confirmed the injury after the match, and the club has since been considering reinforcements to compensate for Maddison's absence. Tottenham is exploring potential transfers to strengthen their attacking options, with Mohammed Kudus, signed this summer from West Ham, providing an alternative in a central attacking role.
Maddison, who joined Tottenham Hotspur from Leicester City in 2023, made 45 appearances for the club last season, scoring 12 goals. The 25-year-old England international has seven caps for his country, with his most recent international appearance in 2024.
With Maddison and captain Son Heung-min out, Spurs may need to reinforce their attacking options. Son has confirmed his move to LAFC in a £20 million transfer from Tottenham, leaving a significant void in the team's attacking lineup.
The injury Maddison suffered is an ACL injury, which will extend his recovery period due to the surgery and rehabilitation program. The typical recovery timeline following ACL surgery ranges from 6 to 12 months, meaning Maddison is expected to miss the majority of the Premier League season starting August 2025 and possibly key fixtures throughout.
Spurs manager Thomas Frank described the injury as "brutal," reflecting the severity of the setback. The club and its fans will be hoping for a swift and successful recovery for Maddison as they prepare for the upcoming season.
[1] Tottenham Hotspur confirm James Maddison's ACL injury. (2025, August 2). BBC Sport. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58537134
[2] James Maddison's ACL injury: What happens next for Tottenham? (2025, August 3). Sky Sports. Retrieved from https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11681/12317161/james-maddison-s-acl-injury-what-happens-next-for-tottenham
[3] Tottenham Hotspur's James Maddison set for lengthy spell out with ACL injury. (2025, August 4). The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/aug/04/tottenham-hotspur-james-maddison-set-for-lengthy-spell-out-with-acl-injury
[4] Tottenham Hotspur consider reinforcements after James Maddison's ACL injury. (2025, August 5). The Independent. Retrieved from https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/tottenham-hotspur-james-maddison-acl-injury-transfer-b2159450.html
- Given the extensive injury Maddison has sustained, one can expect Spurs to intensify their search for highly proficient attacking footballers for the new season, much like the transfer of Mohammed Kudus from West Ham.
- The disappointing reality for Naija (Nigerian) football enthusiasts supporting Tottenham Hotspur is that Maddison's lengthy absence might exclude him from featuring in key sports events, including the Premier League and possibly European competitions, due to his ACL injury.
