The Tottenham winger is back with his national team after an absence of more than 17 months, having finally overcome the knee problem that required surgery in May 2025 and disrupted his rehabilitation with further setbacks.
Kulusevski made his long-awaited return to club football earlier in October, coming off the bench for Tottenham after 526 days away from action. His comeback has now been followed by a place in Sweden's squad for the concluding Nations League fixtures against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Poland.
The 26-year-old admitted that returning to the national team has been an emotional experience and believes the week with his international team-mates will provide an important lift after such a difficult period.
“It feels like I'm home. I think this week will give me an enormous boost,” Kulusevski said at Sweden's press conference.
One of the people who helped him through the lengthy rehabilitation was former Sweden captain Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Kulusevski revealed that Ibrahimovic, alongside Ivan Perisic, recommended that he visit a doctor in Serbia during the recovery process.
The advice proved important at a time when the winger needed reassurance that he could overcome the injury without undergoing further operations.
“He and Ivan Perisic wanted me to go there. The Serbian doctor said: ‘Don't think about any more operations.’ I needed someone beside me who told me that it could work,” Kulusevski explained.
He was particularly appreciative of Ibrahimovic's support, saying the former striker had shown a side of himself that did not always match the public perception of his personality.
“Zlatan is the best, I promise. Everyone thinks he is arrogant and has that whole image, but he is more humble than anyone else. For me, he is number one,” Kulusevski said.
The Tottenham player had spent much of the previous year dealing with the consequences of the serious knee injury, which first forced him out of action in May 2025. His rehabilitation proved more complicated than hoped, extending his absence and preventing him from playing a part in Sweden's World Cup campaign.
His return to Tottenham action in October was therefore a major personal milestone. After more than 500 days away, he was able to resume playing and begin rebuilding the match fitness that had been missing for so long.
Sweden coach Graham Potter welcomed his return to the national-team squad, describing him as an important player both on and off the pitch. The national team have also made clear that his workload will be managed carefully after such an extended absence.
Sweden face Bosnia and Herzegovina at home on November 14 before travelling to Poland for their final Nations League fixture on November 17. The two matches offer Kulusevski the opportunity to reconnect with international football, although his recovery will continue to be handled with care.
For the winger, simply being back among his international team-mates represents a significant step. After a lengthy and frustrating rehabilitation, he is grateful to be playing again and has acknowledged the people who helped him reach that point.
Ibrahimovic's recommendation of the Serbian doctor, and the reassurance he provided during the most difficult stages of the recovery, clearly left a lasting impression. Kulusevski's return has given Sweden an important attacking option again, while the player himself is looking forward to making up for lost time.