Most footballers rest when they get injured. Tottenham's Xavi Simons has decided to go back to school instead. The 23-year-old Dutch midfielder has enrolled in a prestigious business course at Harvard. He announced the news on his LinkedIn page. It is a remarkable decision that has impressed fans around the world.
Simons has been sidelined since April after tearing his ACL. The knee injury forced him to miss the World Cup. He is not expected to return to action until early 2027. While rehabilitating in the United States, he joined Harvard's Crossover Into Business programme. This online course pairs professional athletes with MBA students.
The programme is designed to develop commercial skills in professional athletes. Athletes from the NBA, NFL, and other major leagues have taken the course. Simons said he has always been interested in more than just football. He wants to understand the business side of the game better. If more athletes invested in education, they would be better prepared for life after sport.
Simons stressed that getting back on the pitch remains his top priority. However, he believes it is important to keep developing as a person. His connection to Harvard professor Anita Elberse goes back to his youth at Barcelona. This story is an inspiring example of how setbacks can become opportunities for growth.
