Xavi Simons (Amsterdam, The Netherlands; 2003) is now one of the most popular players in the world. But it was also four years ago when, just a youth player in Barcelona, It was known that he signed a contract with PSG for one million euros per year. A more typical salary for a professional footballer which was justified, in addition to his obvious talent, by the media star he was: he had millions of followers on Instagram and a sponsorship deal with Nike.
Arriving in the capital of Paris, he continued to show his immense quality in the youth academy of PSG (one of the most powerful in Europe). He impressed in the Youth League and made his first team debut under Pochettino, playing 11 games alongside Neymar, Mbappé and Messi. Because PSG could not promise him a permanent presence in the eleven with those three legends on the attacking front, Xavi Simons decided to return to his homeland (although he grew up in Alicante, he was born in the Netherlands, with whom he is an international. ) and sign for the PSV. What many saw as a step back, he capitalized on becoming, at the age of 19, one of the best players in Europe. There were 22 goals and 12 assists that helped PSG exercise his buy-back option, which he took up..
Last summer, 2023, he became a possession of PSG again, but they allowed him to leave. Of course, this time, on loan. They did not want to make the mistake of the previous summer, when they could have lost him forever (PSG’s buyback option included a condition: the player had to accept it). And this a season that is ending, now in the big league, again was decisive.
At Leipzig, Marco Rose put him on one wing, although he used to reach the area a lot due to his characteristics. He added 10 goals and 15 assists. He is deadly in the open field, and is very slippery for all defenders. What catches the eye the most, as well as his speed, is his powerful long shot. Differential talent.
Xavi Simons is now showing in professional football that those who bet on him as a child were not wrong. He debuted with the senior team at the Qatar World Cup and, since then, he has not missed a single call. In fact, it just gained prominence and is already there It is indisputable for Koeman. There was some doubt about his performance with the national team, although he played his best game for the national team against Romania Orange. The coach does not doubt him.