Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Xavi Simons is using his recovery from a serious knee injury to study at Harvard Business School.
The 23-year-old announced on LinkedIn that he had been accepted on the institution’s six-month online “Business Across Borders” programme, where he is examining real-world business cases alongside MBA students.
“I’m going back to school,” Simons wrote.
The attacking midfielder tore his cruciate ligament in April and missed the World Cup as a result. He is not expected to return to football until February 2027.
Rather than focus exclusively on his rehabilitation in the gym, Simons has chosen to use the enforced break from football to pursue an interest in business.
“I’ve always been interested in things outside of football,” he said.
The course is not a degree programme and is not designed to lead to one. Simons is also not the first footballer to pursue education or other work away from the sport during a career.
Juan Mata and Azpilicueta have previously attended the same school. Other players have gone on to become clinic doctors, screen films at the Callao Cinemas and carry out research.
