James Maddison: How family life helped during injury recovery
Tottenham midfielder James Maddison explains how caring for his five young children provided a vital distraction during his long-term recovery from an ACL injury.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Author: Steffen Prößdorf
Tottenham Hotspur midfielder James Maddison has opened up about the most difficult year of his career. The 29-year-old spent much of the 2025-26 season sidelined after suffering a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) last August.
Maddison credits his family for helping him navigate the traumatic recovery process. Living "in the trenches" at home with five children aged four and under—including two sets of twins—provided a necessary escape from his own health struggles.
I needed that positive distraction of my partner being pregnant and having to be there for her and forget about myself, even though I was going through a traumatic experience through my knee. James Maddison
The midfielder also highlighted the impact of head coach Roberto de Zerbi, who joined the club in March. Maddison noted that the Italian manager focused on rebuilding morale and simplifying the team's approach to restore their love for the game.
De Zerbi even insisted that Maddison join the team on the bench while still rehabilitating, a gesture the player described as a major compliment that helped him stay connected to the group. After making his return against Leeds on 11 May, Maddison is now focused on reaching full fitness for the upcoming campaign.