Tottenham Hotspur midfielder James Maddison suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee during a pre-season friendly against Newcastle United in Seoul on August 3, 2025.
He underwent surgery shortly after, and the club confirmed he would be sidelined for a significant period.
Current Status
As of early December 2025 (about 4 months post-injury), Maddison is in the early stages of rehabilitation.
Recent updates include: He has been spotted on the training pitch with physios, starting light grass work.
Tottenham head coach Thomas Frank described it as “very early stages” with no specific return timeline, emphasising it’s still a long-term injury.
Maddison himself stated on Sky Sports (December 8): “I’m doing really well for the stage I’m at.” He noted the emotional toll but remains positive, mentioning activities like starting coaching badges to stay mentally strong.
Expected Timeline
ACL recoveries in professional football typically take 8-12 months, with many players aiming for 9 months as a standard. Given the injury in early August 2025:A return could be targeted around May-June 2026 (towards the end of the 2025/26 season).
Earlier updates (October) had Maddison optimistic about playing some part this season if progress continues smoothly—he avoided additional damage like a meniscus tear, which could shorten recovery compared to teammates like Rodrigo Bentancur.
He is expected to miss the majority (or potentially all) of the current season and is unlikely to feature in the 2026 World Cup.
Maddison has been open about his rehab: He released YouTube videos documenting the process (e.g., early weeks post-surgery and a recent one on a “real day” of rehab), highlighting the physical and emotional challenges while using advanced tools like anti-gravity treadmills.
He remains motivated, saying he’s entering his prime years (turning 29 soon) and eager to return stronger. Tottenham continues to support him fully through their medical team.
