James Maddison discusses recovery and family life during injury layoff

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder James Maddison has opened up about the challenges of his recovery from a serious knee injury, describing the past year as the ‘toughest of his life’. Maddison, 29, suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in August 2024, which sidelined him for 375 days and caused him to miss most of the 2025-26 season.

During his rehabilitation, Maddison’s partner gave birth to their second set of twins, bringing his total number of children to five, all aged four and under. He noted that the pregnancy provided a ‘positive distraction’ from the traumatic experience of his injury, though he admitted that managing a household with five young children while injured was a significant challenge.

Maddison also reflected on the impact of his absence on his eldest son, Leo, who at one point believed his father had left the club due to his prolonged time away from matches. Maddison returned to action in May 2025 against Leeds, following a difficult season in which Tottenham narrowly avoided relegation, finishing just two points above the zone.