Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Xavi Simons is channeling his time on the sidelines into academic pursuits, having enrolled in Harvard Business School's Crossover Into Business program while recovering from a serious knee injury.

Simons suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture in his right knee earlier this season, an injury serious enough to sideline him for the remainder of the campaign and potentially into the next. Reports indicate he is unlikely to return to competitive football until the start of next year.

A productive use of downtime

Rather than let the enforced absence weigh on him, the 23-year-old Dutch midfielder has sought out a structured way to grow beyond the game. The Crossover Into Business program is a remote course offered by Harvard Business School, designed specifically for professional athletes looking to build commercial skills and lay the groundwork for future ventures in business.

Simons made the announcement via LinkedIn, writing: "I'm going back to school. 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."

The program pairs professional athletes with Harvard MBA students, giving Simons exposure to enterprise management and a range of industries beyond football. "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 added.

Harvard connection rooted in earlier career

During his rehabilitation period in the United States, Simons visited Harvard's Boston campus, where he reconnected with Professor Anita Elberse — a relationship that first developed during his earlier spells at Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.

While returning to the pitch remains his primary goal, Simons' decision to pursue formal business education during his recovery underscores a deliberate approach to self-development that extends well beyond his football career.