Tottenham midfielder Xavi Simons has enrolled in Harvard Business School’s Crossover into Business program while sidelined with an anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained in April. The 23-year-old Netherlands playmaker is using his recovery period to build commercial skills alongside MBA students.
Balancing Rehabilitation on the East Coast
The Dutch international recently traveled to the United States to step up his physical rehabilitation. During his time on the East Coast, Simons visited Harvard’s campus in Boston and surprised members of the Official Supporters Club Boston Spurs.
The Crossover into Business program pairs professional athletes with Harvard MBA mentors for practical case studies and enterprise management training. Previous participants in the sports event include athletes from the NBA, NFL, and tennis, such as two-time major champion Victoria Azarenka.
Simons is not the only European footballer utilizing academic paths during career interruptions. In June, Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga took a short course at Harvard in the business of entertainment, media, and sports after missing out on France’s World Cup squad.
Reconnecting with Familiar Academic Faces
The Tottenham playmaker noted that his journey to Harvard involved a familiar academic connection. Simons previously crossed paths with Professor Anita Elberse during his time at FC Barcelona and later at Paris Saint-Germain.
“It’s given me a lot of new ideas. It also makes this experience extra special because of Professor Anita Elberse.”
| Athlete / Figure | Institution / Program | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Xavi Simons | Harvard Business School | Crossover into Business program during ACL recovery |
| Eduardo Camavinga | Harvard University | Business of entertainment, media, and sports course in June |
| Sir Alex Ferguson | Harvard University | Long-term teaching position following managerial retirement in 2014 |
Prioritizing the Pitch Amid Academic Pursuits
Despite the commitment to his semester-long online studies, Simons emphasized that his primary focus remains on returning to full fitness. The anterior cruciate ligament rupture in April forced him to miss the World Cup and disrupted his debut phase with Tottenham.
“Getting back on the pitch is still my number one priority,” Simons added. “At the same time, I want to use this period to keep learning and invest in myself beyond football.”
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- Tottenham midfielder Xavi Simons has enrolled in Harvard University’s Crossover into Business (world-today-journal.com)
- Chris Olave Limited in Thursday Practice With New Foot Injury (archyworldys.com)
