{
  "id": 15780319,
  "title": "Dejan Kulusevski addresses 'impossible' return following 526-day injury layoff",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/20/dejan-kulusevski-addresses-impossible-return-following-526-day-injury",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-20T18:05:26.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/dejan-kulusevski-addresses-impossible-return-180526398.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Dejan Kulusevski, the Swedish international midfielder for Tottenham Hotspur, returned to action on Monday after a remarkable 526-day absence due to a severe knee injury. The Swedish star made his comeback as a late substitute in the 3-1 victory over Coventry City, receiving a standing ovation from the crowd. Kulusevski's family, including one of his children, celebrated his return, with the latter proudly displaying a jersey that read \"526 days - my hero\" across the back. The midfielder revealed that the rehabilitation process was incredibly challenging and that he even warned his loved ones that he might never return to the field. Despite the odds, Kulusevski maintained his belief and worked tirelessly, often putting in 10 hours of daily effort when no one was watching. Cristiano Ronaldo's ultimatum to Portugal and strange behavior during a Liverpool match were among the other news stories.",
  "summary": "Dejan Kulusevski made his first appearance for Tottenham Hotspur since May 2025 as a late substitute in their 3-1 win over Coventry City on Monday, ending a 526-day layoff",
  "key_points": [
    "Dejan Kulusevski returns after 526-day injury layoff",
    "Makes substitute appearance in 3-1 win over Coventry City",
    "Family celebrates his comeback with jersey reading '526 days - my hero'"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yahoo Sports",
        "title": "Kulusevski a 'different man' after emotional Spurs return",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/20/kulusevski-a-different-man-after-emotional-spurs-return",
        "published": "2026-10-20T12:39:33.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}