He underwent surgery shortly afterwards and the club confirmed he would be sidelined for a significant period.
Current status
As of early December 2025 (approximately 4 months after the injury), Maddison is in the early stages of rehabilitation.
Recent updates include: He was spotted with physios on the training pitch, where he started with light grass work.
Tottenham head coach Thomas Frank described it as a “very early stage” with no specific timeline for return, stressing it is still a long-term injury.
Maddison himself stated on Sky Sports (December 8): “I’m doing very well for the stage I’m at.” He noted the emotional toll but remains positive, citing activities such as starting coaching badges to stay mentally strong.
Expected timeline
ACL recovery in professional football typically takes 8 to 12 months, with many players aiming for 9 months as standard. Given the injury at the beginning of August 2025: a return could be targeted around May-June 2026 (towards the end of the 2025/26 season).
Previous updates (October) had Maddison optimistic about playing a role this season if progress continues smoothly. He avoided additional damage such as a meniscus tear, which could shorten recovery compared to teammates like Rodrigo Bentancur.
He is expected to miss most (or possibly all) of the season and is unlikely to feature in the 2026 World Cup.
Maddison has been open about his rehabilitation: He released YouTube videos documenting the process (for example, the first weeks after surgery and a recent video about a “real day” of rehabilitation), highlighting the physical and emotional challenges while using advanced equipment such as anti-gravity treadmills.
He remains motivated and says he is entering his best years (he will soon be 29) and would like to return stronger. Tottenham continue to fully support him through their medical team.
Related
#James #Maddisons #Anterior #Cruciate #Ligament #ACL