Dutch midfielder Xavi Simons will miss the World Cup after tearing a key ligament in his knee, the anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL— a serious injury that requires surgery and months of recovery, NOS reports.

The 23-year-old Tottenham Hotspur player was injured Saturday during a 1-0 Premier League loss at Wolverhampton Wanderers. The injury occurred in the second half following a collision with defender Hugo Bueno. Simons appeared to misstep, immediately grabbed his knee, and screamed in pain.

He initially tried to continue playing but was later taken off on a stretcher after about an hour. While being carried off, some Wolves fans reportedly shouted insults at him.

Simons said in an Instagram post Sunday night: “They say life can be cruel, and today it feels that way. My season has come to an abrupt end, and I’m trying to process it. My heart is broken. I can’t comprehend it.”

He added, “All I wanted was to fight with my team in the final stretch of this season, and that’s been taken away from me. Just like the World Cup. Representing my country this summer — it’s gone.”

Tottenham confirmed Monday that Simons tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and will undergo surgery, ruling him out of the World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, which begins Thursday, June 11.

In a separate message, he said, “I’ll take my time to process this, but I will remain the best teammate I can be. I have no doubt that together we will win this fight. I walk this path with faith and strength, and I’m counting the days until I return.”

Simons has played 34 international matches for the Dutch national team. He was also a key player at the 2024 European Championship in Germany, scoring the opening goal in the semifinal against England.

His absence is another setback for coach Ronald Koeman. Midfielder Jerdy Schouten previously withdrew with a knee injury, while goalkeeper Justin Bijlow was injured Sunday.

The Netherlands will open its World Cup campaign on Sunday, June 14, against Japan. It will then play Sweden on June 20 and Tunisia on June 26 in Group F, the opening stage of the tournament in which teams are divided into groups and compete to advance to the knockout rounds.