Xavi Simons joins Harvard's business programme Exploring life beyond football

A footballer enrolling at university while still playing professionally is always newsworthy. Even more so when that footballer plays in the Premier League and chooses one of the world's most prestigious universities. The story is this: Xavi Simons has enrolled at Harvard University. The Dutch footballer is currently sidelined with an injury after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee last April. As a result, Simons missed the final matches of Tottenham's season, was ruled out of the 2026 World Cup and, barring any surprises, is not expected to return to the pitch before February. Simons has therefore used this period away from football to embark on a new course of study.

Harvard's business course for professional footballers

Simons will take an online business course organised by Harvard and designed for professional athletes looking to develop their commercial and entrepreneurial skills, with a programme equivalent to those offered on campus. Through practical case studies and insights into business management, the course aims to equip athletes with tools to navigate challenges beyond the pitch: from managing their personal brand throughout their playing careers to financial planning after retirement, when knowing how to manage and reinvest the earnings accumulated during their years as professionals becomes increasingly important.

Xavi Simons and personal branding beyond football

When it comes to personal branding, Xavi Simons has been building his identity around this concept for much of his life. Football fans have known his name since he was a child with an unmistakable head of wild hair playing in Barcelona's cantera. At 16, he made the move to PSG on a free transfer. He seemed destined for a phenomenal career, although so far his trajectory has fallen slightly short of the expectations surrounding him. Even so, he is now a Premier League footballer who has developed a signature celebration, an important detail for a player conscious of his public image. At the same time, Simons has never limited his identity to his role as a footballer, making room for other passions and interests, from music and fashion to Naruto.

From Eduardo Camavinga to Giorgio Chiellini: footballers studying business

Taking all these elements into account, the decision to pursue a business course at one of the world's most prestigious universities takes on a different meaning. Of course, Simons is neither the first nor the only footballer to take a similar path. Last summer, Eduardo Camavinga also enrolled at Harvard Business School, making the most of his omission from France's World Cup squad. In Italy, the most prominent example is undoubtedly Giorgio Chiellini, who holds a degree in Business Administration. His academic background helped pave the way for his role as Chief Club Affairs Officer at Juventus, as well as his position as co-owner of Los Angeles FC.

At 23, Simons is choosing to challenge himself in a new field, seeking a deeper understanding of the dynamics that will shape his career, both on and off the pitch. Naturally, there is no guarantee he will complete the course. At his age, interests can change, priorities can shift and a football career can demand most of his time and energy. But that is not really the point. As we have explored on several occasions, footballers have passions and interests beyond the game. These can even become an outlet, offering a way to step back from an environment that can turn toxic without anyone necessarily realising it. Simons' decision reflects a broader shift: preparing for the future does not necessarily mean thinking about the end of a career, but starting to build something that can accompany it and, one day, outlast it.