Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Xavi Simons is making the most of his time away from football after confirming that he has enrolled in a business programme at the prestigious Harvard University while continuing his recovery from a serious knee injury.
The Dutch international has endured a frustrating spell on the sidelines after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in April, a setback that has disrupted his progress and left Tottenham without one of their most creative attacking players. However, while his absence has created problems for Roberto De Zerbi on the pitch, Simons is determined to ensure that his rehabilitation period is productive in other areas of his life.
The 23-year-old has revealed that he has been accepted onto the Crossover Into Business Program at Harvard Business School, an opportunity that will allow him to develop his knowledge of the business world while working towards his return to competitive football.
His decision highlights the midfielder’s desire to prepare for life beyond the pitch without losing sight of his immediate ambition to return to action for Tottenham.
Xavi Simons turns injury setback into a learning opportunity
Simons’ absence has been a significant concern for Tottenham, particularly given the club’s struggles to find consistent creativity during the early stages of De Zerbi’s first full season in charge.
The Italian manager has already had to contend with several fitness problems involving key attacking players. James Maddison has been working his way back to full fitness, while Dejan Kulusevski continues to battle his way back from a complicated patella injury that has kept him out for an extended period.
With Simons also unavailable, Tottenham have been left short of natural playmakers capable of unlocking opposition defences, creating scoring opportunities and providing the attacking spark needed to turn possession into goals.
The Dutchman was expected to play an important role in De Zerbi’s plans following his arrival at the club, making his lengthy absence particularly frustrating for the coaching staff and supporters.
Nevertheless, reports indicate that Simons is progressing well in his recovery, with a potential return to action in the new year providing encouragement for Tottenham as they look towards the next stage of their campaign.
Rather than allowing the injury to define his time away from the game, the midfielder has decided to invest in his personal development.
Announcing the news on LinkedIn over the weekend, Simons explained that he had been looking for ways to use his recovery period constructively.
“During my recovery, I’ve been trying to use my time in the best way possible,” the Tottenham midfielder wrote.
“Football is still my main focus, but I also want to keep learning and improving away from the pitch. I’m happy to share that I’ve been accepted onto the Crossover Into Business Program at Harvard Business School.”
The programme offers professional athletes an opportunity to develop their business knowledge and prepare for opportunities that may emerge during and after their sporting careers.
### Inside Harvard’s programme for professional athletes
The Crossover Into Business Program is designed to help elite athletes understand the commercial side of sport and develop skills that can be valuable long after their playing days are over.
According to the programme’s description, it is a semester-long course in which professional athletes build their business acumen while working alongside MBA student mentors.
Participants gain opportunities to learn about business strategy, leadership and the professional environment beyond their respective sports.
Several high-profile athletes have previously taken part in similar educational opportunities through Harvard, including stars from the NBA and NFL. Women’s tennis star Victoria Azarenka has also been associated with the programme.
Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga previously attended a short course at Harvard focused on the business of entertainment, media and sports after being left out of France’s World Cup squad.
Simons’ decision to follow a similar path demonstrates that his ambitions extend beyond becoming a successful footballer.
The Tottenham star has made it clear that he wants to develop a broader understanding of the industry in which he works, gaining knowledge that could prove valuable in future business ventures, leadership opportunities or other projects connected to football.
Explaining his motivation, he added that he has always been interested in areas beyond the game itself.
“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.”
He also stressed that his studies would not distract him from his immediate objective of returning to the pitch.
“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.”
Tottenham supporters wait for their playmaker’s return
Although Simons’ latest move has attracted attention away from football, Tottenham supporters will ultimately be most interested in when he can return to action.
The midfielder’s absence has coincided with a difficult period for De Zerbi, who has been forced to work with limited options in the creative areas of the pitch.
Having a fully fit Simons available would provide Tottenham with another player capable of operating between the lines, carrying the ball forward and creating opportunities for the club’s forwards.
His technical ability and attacking intelligence could be particularly important as De Zerbi attempts to establish his preferred style of play and improve Tottenham’s performances in the Premier League.
However, the club will be keen to avoid rushing the Dutchman back before he has completed the necessary stages of his rehabilitation. ACL injuries require careful management, and ensuring that Simons returns in the best possible condition will be more important than bringing him back prematurely.
The midfielder has also spent time in the United States as part of his recovery programme, where he visited the Baltimore Ravens and Boston Celtics.
The experience has allowed him to observe how elite sporting organisations operate while continuing his specialised rehabilitation work.
His return to the United Kingdom over the weekend brought him back into the Tottenham picture, as he watched from the stands at Old Trafford when De Zerbi’s 10-man side battled to secure a late point against Manchester United.
Although he could not contribute on the pitch, his presence offered a reminder that he remains closely connected to the team during his recovery.
A positive step for Simons amid Tottenham’s injury concerns
For Simons, this period represents an opportunity to develop professionally and personally while working towards one of the most important challenges of his career: returning from a major injury.
The Harvard programme could provide valuable knowledge and connections that will benefit him well beyond his playing career, while his rehabilitation remains the priority.
For Tottenham, however, the bigger concern is still the absence of a player who could make a meaningful difference in the final third.
With Maddison and Kulusevski also working towards their respective comebacks, De Zerbi will be hoping that his creative options gradually improve as the season progresses.
Simons’ progress will therefore be watched closely by the club’s supporters, who will be eager to see him back in the starting XI and contributing to Tottenham’s attacking play.
For now, the Dutchman is balancing two important objectives: preparing himself for a return to professional football and building knowledge that will serve him throughout his life.
His time at Harvard may be taking place away from the pitch, but it represents another step in his dev
elopment as he works towards the day he can once again make his mark in a Tottenham shirt.
