Injured Xavi Simons enrolls at Harvard while facing year-long Tottenham absence

Xavi Simons is spending his lengthy injury rehabilitation in an unconventional way, enrolling in Harvard University’s Crossover into Business programme while he recovers from a ruptured knee ligament that has ruled him out until some point in 2027.

The Tottenham Hotspur forward suffered the injury in April, an absence that also cost him a potential place in the Netherlands squad for the 2026 World Cup. Rather than simply wait out the recovery, the 23-year-old has been accepted onto Harvard’s programme, which pairs professional athletes with MBA students for mentorship across practical case studies and enterprise management.

“I’m going back to school,” Simons wrote on LinkedIn. “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.”

Simons said his interest extends 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 was clear, however, that his return to fitness remains the primary goal. “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.”

The Harvard programme has previously attracted high-profile athletes, including former tennis world No 1 Victoria Azarenka, along with participants from the NFL and NBA. For Simons, it represents a deliberate effort to broaden his horizons during what is set to be one of the most challenging periods of his career.