Tottenham's Xavi Simons balances ACL recovery with Harvard business studies

Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Xavi Simons is making productive use of his time away from the pitch. The Dutch playmaker, who has been sidelined since April with a significant anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture, has enrolled in Harvard University’s prestigious Crossover into Business program.

This initiative is designed to help elite athletes navigate the professional business world. It pairs participants with MBA students who serve as mentors, helping them analyze management strategies and business cases. For Simons, the academic challenge is a way to maintain his personal growth during a difficult period in his career.

"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," Xavi Simons said.

The injury, which prematurely ended his domestic season and ruled him out of the World Cup, was a major setback. However, Simons has reassured Spurs supporters that his primary focus remains returning to full fitness. He is working closely with the club’s medical team to ensure his knee is ready for the demands of the Premier League.

Simons is not the only athlete to seek education at the institution; Real Madrid's Eduardo Camavinga also completed a similar course recently. By pursuing this academic path, Simons aims to prepare for life beyond his playing career while remaining fully committed to his duties at Tottenham.