Tottenham Hotspur have confirmed that Xavi Simons has suffered a ruptured ACL.
The 23-year-old sustained the injury to his right knee during Spurs' 1-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on Saturday while competing for a loose ball alongside Hugo Bueno.
Simons immediately collapsed to the ground in agony as medical staff rushed onto the pitch to attend to him. The prognosis looked rough when the attacking midfielder was stretchered from the field, via football.london.
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Spurs have now delivered the worst possible news, confirming that their star player will require surgery in the coming weeks.
The club stated on Monday: "We can confirm that Xavi Simons has ruptured the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) in his right knee.
"The 23-year-old suffered the injury during the second half of our Premier League fixture at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday.
"Xavi will undergo surgery in the coming weeks and, following that, will then begin his rehabilitation with our medical team.
"Everyone at Tottenham Hotspur sends Xavi our love and support - we will be with him every step of the way."
Meanwhile, Simons took to Instagram on Sunday to express his devastation, as he potentially faces up to eight months on the sidelines, meaning he will certainly miss this summer's FIFA World Cup with the Netherlands.
He wrote: "They say life can be cruel and today it feels that way. My season has come to an abrupt end and I'm just trying to process it.
"Honestly, I'm heartbroken. None of it makes sense. All I've wanted to do is fight for my team and now the ability to do that has been snatched away from me... along with the World Cup.
"Representing my country this summer...just gone. It'll take time to find peace with this, but I'll continue to be the best teammate I can be. I have no doubt that together we'll win this fight.
"I'll walk this path now, guided by faith, with strength, with resilience, with belief, as I count down the days to getting back out there.Be patient with me. TTP. COYS."
The Dutchman's setback is the most recent in what has proven to be a disastrous season for the relegation-threatened club, with the Spurs roster decimated by injuries.
Cristian Romero will be sidelined for up to eight weeks due to a tear in his knee, while Wilson Odobert is also facing a prolonged rehabilitation owing to an ACL problem of his own.
Dejan Kulusevski has yet to feature for Spurs this season as he continues his recovery from his own knee problem, sustained almost 12 months ago, while Ben Davies may have competed in his final match in the white of Tottenham, out of contract this summer and unavailable with an ankle fracture.