Xavi Simons enrolls at Harvard Business School during ACL recovery

Xavi Simons has enrolled in a business course at Harvard Business School while recovering from the anterior cruciate ligament injury he sustained in April, the Dutch forward confirmed on LinkedIn.

"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."

Simons has been accepted onto the Crossover Into Business Program, a semester-long online course designed for professional athletes. The programme allows participants to study business alongside MBA students at one of the world's leading academic institutions.

"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," Simons added.

The forward recently travelled to the United States as part of his rehabilitation schedule, visiting both the East Coast and West Coast. During his time in Boston, he met with athletes from American professional sports and made an unannounced appearance for members of Tottenham's Official Supporters Club Boston Spurs.

Simons also cited a longstanding connection to Harvard professor Anita Elberse as a factor in the experience. "We first met during my time at FC Barcelona, and later again at Paris Saint-Germain. We've stayed in touch over the years, so it was great to see her again and visit Harvard while I was in Boston," he wrote.

"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," Simons concluded.