{"id":245144,"first_name":"Xavi","last_name":"Simons","short_name":"X. Simons","common_name":"Xavi Simons","place_of_birth":"Amsterdam","gender":"male","height":179,"weight":68,"status":"active","createdAt":"2024-11-06T09:59:04.368Z","updatedAt":"2025-06-10T14:43:15.210Z","locale":"en","age":21,"stb_id":"xavi-simons","description":null,"tier":null,"common_name_en":"Xavi Simons","top_position":null,"introduction":"Xavi Quentin Shay Simons, born on April 21, 2003, is a highly acclaimed Dutch professional football player known for his versatility as an attacking midfielder or winger. He is currently signed with Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) but plays on loan at RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga. Apart from his club achievements, he has made significant strides in the Netherlands national team, highlighted by his participation in the 2022 FIFA World Cup.","early_life_and_career":"## Early Years\nXavi Simons was born in Amsterdam to Peggy Simons and Regillio Simons, a former Dutch footballer of Surinamese descent. Football was embedded in his family, with his older brother Faustino also showing interest in the sport. Growing up in a household passionate about football, Simons was naturally inclined towards the sport from a young age, setting him on a path to professional play early in life.\n\n## Youth Career\nSimons began his football trajectory at Club Deportivo Thader in Alicante before joining Barcelona's famed La Masia academy in 2010. He quickly distinguished himself as a precocious talent within the ranks, attracting attention from major clubs such as Chelsea. By 2017, Simons aligned himself with renowned agent Mino Raiola, marking his intent to make significant moves in his career.","professional_career_and_highlights":"## Club Career\n### Paris Saint-Germain\nIn July 2019, Xavi Simons transferred from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain, signing a lucrative contract valued at an annual €1 million. He marked his professional debut with PSG on February 10, 2021, in a Coupe de France match against Caen. His progression continued as he made his Ligue 1 debut two months later. Simons was part of the PSG squad that secured the Coupe de France in May 2021, and the Ligue 1 title in the 2021–22 season. Despite experiencing some setbacks, such as a missed penalty in the Coupe de France, Simons demonstrated his potential by securing a first Ligue 1 start against Rennes, supporting PSG in clinching the league trophy.\n\n### PSV\nOn June 28, 2022, Simons moved to PSV Eindhoven on a five-year deal. Expectations shifted from a potential loan from PSG to a permanent move, secured by a buy-back clause for PSG. His stint at PSV was fruitful: Simons debuted with a goal in the Johan Cruyff Shield against Ajax and put forth standout performances throughout the season, being co-awarded the Eredivisie top scorer title with 19 goals. His efforts were crucial in PSV's second-place Eredivisie finish, clinching spots in European competitions.\n\n### Return to Paris Saint-Germain and Loan to RB Leipzig\nIn July 2023, PSG activated their buy-back clause, signaling Simons's return. However, he was immediately loaned to RB Leipzig for the 2023–24 season. Simons debuted successfully against Bayern Munich, showcasing his skill set with his first Bundesliga goal and assists against VfB Stuttgart. He continued to shine in the UEFA Champions League, contributing significantly to Leipzig's progress and securing individual recognition for his performances.\n\n## National Team Career\n### Youth National Teams\nSimons further honed his skills playing for Dutch youth squads across several age brackets, from the under-15 to the under-21 levels.\n\n### Senior National Team\nSimons earned his first senior national team call-up for the 2022 FIFA World Cup after his inclusion in October of the same year. He debuted in the World Cup round of 16 against the United States, becoming the Netherlands' youngest player in a World Cup knockout stage. He further solidified his place by participating predominantly in the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying matches and scored a notable first international goal in June 2024.","playing_style_and_skills":"## Player Characteristics\nSimons is primarily positioned as an attacking midfielder or winger. He is recognized for his agility, technical proficiency, and intelligent playmaking. His skill set includes precise passing, a sharp footballing mind, and an ability to influence the game from various offensive positions.\n\n## Performance Statistics\nSimons's professional career provides a snapshot of his growing impact, with career figures including numerous club appearances, goals, and assists, emphasizing his contribution across competitions like the Eredivisie and Bundesliga.\n\n## Records\nSimons boasts records like being the youngest Dutch player capable of scoring and assisting in a Champions League game at 20 years and 187 days. Such accolades open the path for a promising future.","notable_achievements":"## Achievements\n### Team Achievements\n- Paris Saint-Germain: Ligue 1 (2021–22), Coupe de France (2020–21)\n- PSV: KNVB Cup (2022–23), Johan Cruyff Shield (2022)\n- RB Leipzig: DFL-Supercup (2023)\n\n### Individual Achievements\n- Eredivisie Player of the Month (August 2022, March 2023)\n- Eredivisie top scorer (2022–23, shared)\n- Bundesliga Goal of the Month (September 2023, January 2024)\n\n## Awards and Recognition\nSimons garnered distinction with honors such as the Johan Cruyff Trophy (2022–23) and was often recognized by league-specific monthly awards, underscoring his significant talent and impact on the pitch.","impact_on_sport":"## Career Overview\nSimons's career trajectory reflects a blend of early promise and realized potential. His seamless transitions across major European clubs and positive national team contributions highlight his importance to the Dutch football realm.\n\n## Off the Field\nXavi Simons has been engaged in commercial pursuits, evidenced by early collaborations with Nike, followed by contracts with Adidas and Puma. His reputation extends beyond the field, shaped by social media presence and ventures such as participation in globally aired commercials.\n\n## Personal Life\nSimons's personal life includes transitioning between different football-based representation, notably altering agents post-2022. His family background and early fostering in a football-centric environment have significantly sculpted his journey.","stb_internal_id":"019300e9-d206-7f22-ac68-79079318bdfc","overrides":null,"type_code":"midfielder","position_type_code":"midfielder","detailed_position_type_code":null,"roles":"player","has_biography":true,"has_membership_relations":true,"has_matches":null,"has_article_relations":false,"has_social_media_relations":true,"introduction_html":"

Xavi Quentin Shay Simons, born on April 21, 2003, is a highly acclaimed Dutch professional football player known for his versatility as an attacking midfielder or winger. He is currently signed with Ligue 1 club Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) but plays on loan at RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga. Apart from his club achievements, he has made significant strides in the Netherlands national team, highlighted by his participation in the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

\n","early_life_and_career_html":"

Early Years

Xavi Simons was born in Amsterdam to Peggy Simons and Regillio Simons, a former Dutch footballer of Surinamese descent. Football was embedded in his family, with his older brother Faustino also showing interest in the sport. Growing up in a household passionate about football, Simons was naturally inclined towards the sport from a young age, setting him on a path to professional play early in life.

Youth Career

Simons began his football trajectory at Club Deportivo Thader in Alicante before joining Barcelona's famed La Masia academy in 2010. He quickly distinguished himself as a precocious talent within the ranks, attracting attention from major clubs such as Chelsea. By 2017, Simons aligned himself with renowned agent Mino Raiola, marking his intent to make significant moves in his career.

\n","professional_career_and_highlights_html":"

Club Career

Paris Saint-Germain

In July 2019, Xavi Simons transferred from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain, signing a lucrative contract valued at an annual €1 million. He marked his professional debut with PSG on February 10, 2021, in a Coupe de France match against Caen. His progression continued as he made his Ligue 1 debut two months later. Simons was part of the PSG squad that secured the Coupe de France in May 2021, and the Ligue 1 title in the 2021–22 season. Despite experiencing some setbacks, such as a missed penalty in the Coupe de France, Simons demonstrated his potential by securing a first Ligue 1 start against Rennes, supporting PSG in clinching the league trophy.

PSV

On June 28, 2022, Simons moved to PSV Eindhoven on a five-year deal. Expectations shifted from a potential loan from PSG to a permanent move, secured by a buy-back clause for PSG. His stint at PSV was fruitful: Simons debuted with a goal in the Johan Cruyff Shield against Ajax and put forth standout performances throughout the season, being co-awarded the Eredivisie top scorer title with 19 goals. His efforts were crucial in PSV's second-place Eredivisie finish, clinching spots in European competitions.

Return to Paris Saint-Germain and Loan to RB Leipzig

In July 2023, PSG activated their buy-back clause, signaling Simons's return. However, he was immediately loaned to RB Leipzig for the 2023–24 season. Simons debuted successfully against Bayern Munich, showcasing his skill set with his first Bundesliga goal and assists against VfB Stuttgart. He continued to shine in the UEFA Champions League, contributing significantly to Leipzig's progress and securing individual recognition for his performances.

National Team Career

Youth National Teams

Simons further honed his skills playing for Dutch youth squads across several age brackets, from the under-15 to the under-21 levels.

Senior National Team

Simons earned his first senior national team call-up for the 2022 FIFA World Cup after his inclusion in October of the same year. He debuted in the World Cup round of 16 against the United States, becoming the Netherlands' youngest player in a World Cup knockout stage. He further solidified his place by participating predominantly in the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying matches and scored a notable first international goal in June 2024.

\n","playing_style_and_skills_html":"

Player Characteristics

Simons is primarily positioned as an attacking midfielder or winger. He is recognized for his agility, technical proficiency, and intelligent playmaking. His skill set includes precise passing, a sharp footballing mind, and an ability to influence the game from various offensive positions.

Performance Statistics

Simons's professional career provides a snapshot of his growing impact, with career figures including numerous club appearances, goals, and assists, emphasizing his contribution across competitions like the Eredivisie and Bundesliga.

Records

Simons boasts records like being the youngest Dutch player capable of scoring and assisting in a Champions League game at 20 years and 187 days. Such accolades open the path for a promising future.

\n","notable_achievements_html":"

Achievements

Team Achievements

Paris Saint-Germain: Ligue 1 (2021–22), Coupe de France (2020–21)
PSV: KNVB Cup (2022–23), Johan Cruyff Shield (2022)
RB Leipzig: DFL-Supercup (2023)

Individual Achievements

Eredivisie Player of the Month (August 2022, March 2023)
Eredivisie top scorer (2022–23, shared)
Bundesliga Goal of the Month (September 2023, January 2024)

Awards and Recognition

Simons garnered distinction with honors such as the Johan Cruyff Trophy (2022–23) and was often recognized by league-specific monthly awards, underscoring his significant talent and impact on the pitch.

\n","impact_on_sport_html":"

Career Overview

Simons's career trajectory reflects a blend of early promise and realized potential. His seamless transitions across major European clubs and positive national team contributions highlight his importance to the Dutch football realm.

Off the Field

Xavi Simons has been engaged in commercial pursuits, evidenced by early collaborations with Nike, followed by contracts with Adidas and Puma. His reputation extends beyond the field, shaped by social media presence and ventures such as participation in globally aired commercials.

Personal Life

Simons's personal life includes transitioning between different football-based representation, notably altering agents post-2022. His family background and early fostering in a football-centric environment have significantly sculpted his journey.

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Xavi Simons: Profile