Player Background: Xavi Simons' Early Years
Xavi Simons joined La Masia, Barcelona's prestigious youth academy, at the tender age of seven. From the start, he showcased exceptional talent, turning heads with his extraordinary skills on the pitch. By the age of 14, Simons had already established himself as a football prodigy and a social media sensation, amassing over a million Instagram followers. His online popularity soared, assisted by endorsement deals, including a notable contract with Nike. Simons' growing fame saw him feature in advertisements alongside football icons Neymar Jr and Ronaldinho. Videos compiling his remarkable skills flooded YouTube, drawing the attention of elite clubs like Chelsea. Pau Moral, a coach during a national under-12s tournament, vividly recalls Simons' soaring popularity and his impact on young football enthusiasts.
Arising Versatility and Linguistic Prowess
At 21, Xavi Simons is now under contract with Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and remains one of the most sought-after players in Europe. His versatility has been a standout feature, as he is capable of playing on either wing or in a central attacking role behind the striker. Simons' time on loan at RB Leipzig saw him impress, further attracting interest from top clubs such as Arsenal, Manchester United, and Bayern Munich. Adding to his on-field prowess, Simons speaks six languages fluently, showcasing his intellectual acumen off the pitch.
Simons' immediate aspiration is to make a significant impact for the Netherlands at Euro 2024. Having represented the national team since the under-15 level, he has consistently proven his worth. Interestingly, Xavi was named after the former Barcelona midfielder Xavi, and his older brother was named after the legendary Colombian forward Faustino Asprilla. This nods to a family deeply entrenched in football culture and history.
Life at La Masia and Transition to PSG
Simons' family relocated to Alicante when he was just three years old. His father, Regillio, keenly noticed Xavi's early understanding and passion for the game. Offers from Spanish clubs Elche, Cadiz, and Villarreal poured in, but Barcelona emerged as the family's club of choice. At La Masia, Simons demonstrated not only his remarkable talent but also an impressive mentality. Pau Moral, one of his coaches at the academy, highlighted Simons' driven attitude and his ability to inspire and motivate his peers.
At the age of 16, Simons made the bold move to PSG, following a contract disagreement with Barcelona. His mother played a crucial role in advising him to learn French to integrate seamlessly into his new environment. PSG provided Simons the opportunity to train alongside iconic players, which further deepened his appreciation for the importance of mental health in football. Despite debuting for PSG at 17, Simons found first-team opportunities limited, prompting a move to PSV in search of regular football.
The switch to PSV proved fruitful, with Simons scoring on his debut and finishing the season as the joint-top scorer in the Eredivisie, boasting 19 goals and 9 assists. PSG, recognizing his development and potential, exercised their option to buy him back and subsequently loaned him to RB Leipzig.
Impact at RB Leipzig and International Ambitions
Marco Rose, RB Leipzig's coach, quickly identified Simons as an ideal fit for his team. During his tenure at Leipzig, Simons' Instagram following neared six million, reflecting his growing global reputation. He scored his first international goal for the Netherlands in a match against Iceland and has since earned one goal in 15 caps for the national team. Dutch national coach Ronald Koeman regards Simons as one of the greatest talents to emerge from the country in recent years, while former player Bolo Zenden has praised his skills and positive attitude. Virgil van Dijk, the Dutch team captain, confidently asserts Simons' tremendous potential and mentality, affirming his belief that Simons will continue to improve and achieve great success.
Quotes
Pau Moral recounted, "Maybe he is playing now because his hair is long, because he is beautiful... But no, no, this player was different!" He also vividly remembered the frenzy around Simons during the national tournament, stating, "I remember the people, 'Xavi, Xavi, photo, photo!'"
Xavi Simons himself has shown remarkable self-awareness, saying, "I know what I want to achieve with my football career." He remains grounded despite his rapid rise, acknowledging, "My path has not been the easiest one. A lot of ups and downs," and placing importance on mental well-being, "Sometimes I have to just relax, not think all day about football."
Finally, Virgil van Dijk endorsed Simons’ potential: "He is a very talented player who has so much to give. He can still be so much better than he is already, but he has a good mentality, so I am not worried that won’t happen. I am confident in him."