Tottenham’s Xavi Simons Enrolls in Harvard Program, Foot Mercato Reports

Tottenham midfielder Xavi Simons has enrolled in the Crossover into Business program at Harvard Business School while recovering from an ACL injury, Foot Mercato reported on October 10, 2026. The 23-year-old Dutch international sustained the knee injury during an April match against Wolverhampton.

Simons Uses Recovery to Study Sports Entrepreneurship

Simons is utilizing his recovery period to prepare for life after professional sports. The remote curriculum is designed specifically to help professional athletes manage entrepreneurial ventures during and after their active playing careers.

“The football remains my priority, but I also want to continue to learn and to progress outside of the pitches,” Simons stated on LinkedIn, as reported by Foot Mercato. The educational track aims to deepen his understanding of the economic mechanics behind professional sports while fostering connections with leaders across different industries.

American Sports Figures and United States Itinerary

Recent weeks brought the midfielder to the United States for academic and professional meetings. His itinerary featured a visit to Harvard’s Boston campus alongside meetings with prominent American sports figures, including Boston Celtics player Jayson Tatum and Boston Bruins captain David Pastrňák.

The academic pursuit runs parallel to a high-value athletic career trajectory. Tottenham acquired the Dutch player from Leipzig last year for an approximate transfer fee of 60 million euros.

Missed World Cup and On-Field Statistics

Before suffering the cruciate ligament rupture, Simons recorded six goals and seven assists across 43 appearances for Tottenham. The severe knee injury sidelined him indefinitely and kept him out of contention for the World Cup with the Netherlands national team.

The recovery timeline leaves the midfielder out of active Premier League competition as he continues his remote studies through the academic program at Harvard.