Dejan Kulusevski reveals one-word Zlatan Ibrahimovic message after Tottenham injury return

The winger was sidelined for 18 months with a complex knee injury, which he feared would prematurely end his playing career at just 26 years of age. The Sweden international made his long-anticipated comeback to Premier League action in the dying embers of Spurs’ 1-0 victory over Coventry last month, getting a rousing ovation as he took to the field for the first time in over a year. Kulusevski has revealed that he received a curt message from his compatriot and former Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic after he made his return. Compatriots: Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Dejan KulusevskiAFP/GettyThe text simply read “Bravo”, with Kulusevski telling Swedish outlet Footbollskanalen of Ibrahimovic’s key advice during his recovery period, as well as input from another former Tottenham colleague. “Zlatan and Perisic wanted me to go [visit a doctor in Serbia],” he explained. “I went, and the Serbian doctor was important for me.”“He said: ‘Don’t think about other operations, this is what we’re going to do.'”He has since made three more substitute cameos under Roberto De Zerbi, in the victories against Chelsea and Crystal Palace, and most recently in the 1-0 defeat by Leeds at Elland Road last weekend. Kulusevski had spoken of his disappointment at not receiving a World Cup call-up last summer, with Sweden boss Graham Potter opting against picking one of his most influential players despite admitting that there was a chance that he could have travelled to north America. Now, however, the former Juventus man is back with his international team-mates for his country’s final two Nations League games this week, as they take on Bosnia and Herzegovina and Poland.