Tottenham's Xavi Simons enrols at Harvard University while sidelined with ACL injury
Tottenham's Xavi Simons enrols at Harvard University while sidelined with ACL injury
Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Xavi Simons has enrolled on a course at the prestigious Harvard University while he continues his recovery from a long-term knee injury.
The 23-year-old Netherlands playmaker has been sidelined since rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in April – an injury that forced him to miss the World Cup. He scored five times for Tottenham last season.
Simons has now joined Harvard's Crossover into Business programme, a course tailored for professional athletes to develop their commercial skills. The online course pairs athletes with Harvard MBA students to mentor them through practical case studies and enterprise management.
The move confirms reports from earlier this month. On 9 October 2026, The Sun reported that the Tottenham star had been accepted to study business at the Ivy League institution during his rehabilitation; the BBC now reports that he has formally enrolled.
'I'm going back to school'
Simons announced the step on LinkedIn, striking a balance between his academic pursuits and his footballing comeback.
"I'm going back to school," Simons wrote. "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."
He recently travelled to the United States to step up his physical rehabilitation while visiting Harvard's campus in Boston.
"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. Looking forward to getting started."