Who is Xavi Simons?

Stats correct as of 5 June 2024

Xavi Simons

Age: 21 (born 21 April 2003)
Club: RB Leipzig
Position: Attacking midfielder
Country: Netherlands (13 caps)

Key stats

After signing a season-long loan deal with Leipzig days after Paris Saint-Germain activated an option to re-sign their former player after an outstanding season at PSV Eindhoven, Xavi could hardly have asked for a better maiden campaign in the Bundesliga.

The Amsterdam native was a revelation for Die Roten Bullen in 2023/24, netting eight goals and a team-high 11 assists as his side qualified for the UEFA Champions League once more, also adding two Bundesliga Goal of the Month and as many Bundesliga Rookie of the Month awards to his trophy cabinet along the way.

It was just the latest example of a player on the up. As PSV finished second in the 2022/23 Eredivisie, Simons finished the season as the Dutch top flight's joint-leading scorer, while his side - coached by former Manchester United and Hamburg striker Ruud van Nistelrooy - also won the Dutch Cup.

His explosive form saw him fast tracked into the Dutch senior set-up by former Bayern Munich coach Louis van Gaal, and Simons was handed his full international debut in a 2022 World Cup last 16 tie against the USA. He has been a regular starter for his national team ever since. 

For Leipzig in the Bundesliga, there have been several eye-catching displays, such as his goal and two assists in an early-season 5-1 victory over VfB Stuttgart, who ended up as runners-up, as well as contributions against champions Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund.

Watch: All of Xavi's 2023/24 Bundesliga goals & assists

Plays a bit like: Jamal Musiala

Simons was born within two months of Musiala in spring 2003 and the similarities certainly don't end there. Like the Bayern midfield star, he loves nothing more than gliding towards an opposition defence with the ball at his feet - and is just as happy to play a sleek pass on the edge of the box as shoot himself. He can be deployed on the left like Musiala, and also shares a clinical touch for goal that is every bit as fine as his nimble play. 

Did you know?

His familiar first name is no coincidence - Simons is named Xavi after the Barcelona legend. His father Regillio Simons is a former professional who played for NAC Breda and Willem II in the Netherlands. Simons moved to Alicante with his family at the age of three, and was training with Barca from the age of seven. 

What they're saying

"He's just turned 19, but he's way beyond his age. He's going to do everything he can to make it to the top of the game." – PSV Eindhoven coach Ruud van Nistelrooy in October 2022 

"Xavi Simons is a good lad. It's important that he has plays. He did a good job playing for PSV. He's a great player, and he'll be a great player (in future)." – Netherlands head coach Ronald Koeman

"Xavi is a different player. He has shown that so far in the time he has been here. We connect really well on the pitch but he can also do things on his own. He has an amazing dribbling technique, finishing as well. He’s a really complete player and for us, for our system, for how we play, our ideas, the coaches’ ideas, it is perfect for us." Leipzig team-mate Dani Olmo