- The player in question was due to hang up his boots at the end of the campaign
- They featured a total of 236 times for Spurs during six seasons in north London
- LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off! Why Eddie Howe is the ‘greatest coach of his generation’
A former Tottenham defender could be forced to retire from the game two months earlier than planned, after a devastating thigh injury.
The player in question, who spent six seasons in north London, revealed earlier this season that he would be hanging up his boots upon the conclusion of the current campaign.
Currently the captain of his boyhood club Royal Antwerp, the Belgian centre-back was set to say farewell to football on May 25 at the end of the league season, depending on the club’s progression in the play-offs.
However, with just five minutes left in the clock in the Reds’ stalemate with Standard Liege, Toby Alderweireld, 36, pulled up following a tackle.
It has since been confirmed that Alderweireld has torn his quadriceps muscle, which is an injury that can take up to three months to recover from, potentially ruling him out for the rest of the season.
A statement from Royal Antwerp wrote: ‘Recovery from such injuries often takes a considerable period of time, which unfortunately makes Toby’s appearance in the play-offs uncertain.
Toby Alderweireld was due to retire from football in May but has torn his quadriceps muscle
The Belgian defender spent six years at Tottenham and made 236 appearances at the club
Alderweireld’s highlight in north London was featuring in the 2019 Champions League final
‘From today on, everything is focused on his rehabilitation. Wishing you a speedy recovery, Captain!’
Alderweireld, who was born in Antwerp, joined the Reds in 2022 and won both the Belgian league – the club’s first-ever – and cup in his very first season.
The following term, the Belgian – who is captain of the side – also led Royal Antwerp to the Champions League group stages for the first time in the club’s history.
In November, following international retirement the previous year, he announced ‘with almost certainty’ that he would leave the sport when the current season comes to close.
Now set with the prospect of a heartbreaking end to both his career and time at his hometown team, Alderweireld is determined to fight with every ounce of his being to beat the odds and feature one more time this season.
‘I never expected this… Right now, I don’t have the words for this,’ Alderweireld wrote on social media. ‘What I do know is that I will do everything I can to wear that beautiful shirt one more time.
‘To be captain of the most beautiful club in the world one more time… It will be a tough battle against time, and I know I’m not on the winning side.
‘I want to thank everyone for the heart-warming messages and the support I’ve received. You are all fantastic!’
Alderweireld guided Royal Antwerp to their first-ever Belgian League title two years ago
Alderweireld joined Tottenham from Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2015, following a season-long loan at Southampton.
The defender went on to feature 236 times in all competitions for Spurs and was a key figure in the side that reached the Champions League final back in 2019.
Following six years at the club, Alderweireld eventually left for Qatar side Al-Duhail where he would only spend one season before moving back to his homeland.
