Xavi Simons, the 23‑year‑old Netherlands playmaker for Tottenham Hotspur, has signed up for Harvard University’s Crossover into Business programme while he continues to heal from a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament sustained in April.
The injury sidelined him for the remainder of the season and forced him to miss the World Cup. Simons has now joined the online course, which pairs professional athletes with Harvard MBA students to mentor them through practical case studies and enterprise management.
In a LinkedIn post, Simons said, “I’m going back to school. During my recovery, I’ve been trying to use my time in the best way possible. Football is still my main focus, but I also want to keep learning and improving away from the pitch.” He added, “I’ve always been interested in more than just football. I want to understand the business side of the game better, learn from people in different industries and keep developing as a person.”
Simons recently travelled to the United States to advance his physical rehabilitation while visiting Harvard’s campus in Boston. He noted, “Getting back on the pitch is still my number one priority. At the same time, I want to use this period to keep learning and invest in myself beyond football. Looking forward to getting started.”
Previous participants in the Crossover into Business programme have included NBA, NFL and tennis players, such as former world number one and two‑time major champion Victoria Azarenka. In June, Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga took a short course at Harvard in the ‘business of entertainment, media and sports’ after being left out of France’s World Cup squad. In 2014, former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson took a long‑term teaching position at the university.
Simons’ move highlights a growing trend of athletes pursuing higher education to broaden their skill sets while sidelined. The programme aims to equip players with the knowledge to navigate the commercial aspects of their careers and beyond.
