James Maddison says five young kids helped him through ACL injury
James Maddison has credited his family of five young children for helping him cope with a ruptured ACL that kept the Tottenham midfielder out for most of the 2025-26 season. The 29-year-old told the BBC that caring for kids aged four and under gave him a positive distraction during what he called the toughest year of his life. Maddison opens up in the first episode of The Football Interview, airing on BBC One on Saturday, 22 August.
Key Takeaways
- Maddison missed most of 2025-26 after rupturing his ACL last August and was sidelined for 375 days.
- His partner gave birth to their second set of twins during recovery, bringing the household to five children aged four and under.
- The Football Interview premieres on BBC One at 12:45 on 22 August, with repeats on iPlayer and BBC Sport platforms.
- Manager Roberto de Zerbi kept Maddison involved with the squad even before he was match-ready.
- Maddison returned against Leeds on 11 May but has not been risked in pre-season so far.
What injury sidelined James Maddison and for how long?
James Maddison suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) last August. The injury ruled him out of most of the 2025-26 Premier League campaign—a total of 375 days away from competitive action.
He finally returned against Leeds on 11 May. Spurs finished the season just two points above the relegation zone, and Maddison said it was difficult watching from the sidelines when the team lacked creativity.
How did Maddison's family help during his recovery?
During Maddison's rehabilitation, his partner gave birth to their second set of twins. That brought their total to five children, all aged four and under—a household Maddison described as being "in the trenches."
"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," he told interviewer Kelly Somers.
Life at home was chaotic—"a lot of nappies flying about, a lot of accidents at home"—but Maddison said he would not change it. His eldest son Leo even assumed at one point that Maddison had left Tottenham because he missed so many matches.
Where can you watch James Maddison's BBC interview?
The Football Interview premieres on Saturday, 22 August, when Somers sits down with the Spurs playmaker. According to TV Guide, the episode airs on BBC One Yorkshire HD at 12:45 PM and runs until 1:00 PM.
The series will also be available on BBC iPlayer, BBC Football YouTube, and the BBC Sport website and app at 12:45 every Saturday during the Premier League season. For more trending stories, browse our Fintech & Crypto Alerts coverage hub.
What role did Roberto de Zerbi play in Maddison's return?
After Roberto de Zerbi took over as head coach in March, he sought to restore morale at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Maddison said the Italian organised a team meal where alcohol was allowed, telling players they would all be drinking and having a good night together.
De Zerbi also insisted Maddison join the matchday bench before he felt ready. "He said I can come on the bench in my slippers if I want," Maddison recalled. Spurs avoided relegation, and Maddison called staying clear of the drop zone "a good feeling."
Full details of Maddison's remarks are available via the BBC Sport interview report.
Is James Maddison ready for the new season?
Despite his May comeback, Maddison has not been risked in pre-season fixtures so far. He said he is working hard to be fully fit and available for most of the upcoming campaign.
"I want just a fully fit, healthy season where I can just enjoy football," he said. "Because if I'm fully fit and I'm healthy, then I know what I'm capable of. And I know that I can affect games more than a lot of players in this league."