NOT many young starlets leave Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy when they’re tipped to grace the Camp Nou in the future.
But Xavi Simons, 16, made the brave decision this week – with French giants PSG claiming his signature in a deal that’s said to be worth almost £1m-per-year for the prospect.
The move came after Dutch-born Simons recently enlisted the services of super-agent Mino Raiola, who has clients including Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic on his books.
And the skilful central midfielder, who already has over a million followers on Instagram, soon put pen to paper on a contract with the Ligue 1 side that’ll take him to 2022.
But who is the prodigious young talent Barcelona had hoped would be their next big thing?
SON OF A FOOTBALLER
Born in Amsterdam, he is the son of former footballer Regillio Simons – who spent his entire career playing in the Netherlands, and was named after Barcelona legend Xavi Hernandez.
It seems then that young Simons was destined for glory the day his name was chosen, but no one can argue that the ‘new Xavi’ is a seriously gifted footballer.
While he doesn’t necessarily fit the Spanish World Cup-winner’s mould in playing style, Simons is an aggressive midfielder whose footballing brain defies his years.
Like former Ajax star Frenkie De Jong, who moved to Barca this summer, he is tidy in possession and pirouettes around the middle of the park looking for space to play the right pass.
Barcelona immediately noticed his potential when they plucked him from his first club – Club Deportivo Thader – and added him to their youth ranks at the tender age of seven.
Playing like a born leader, he was immediately named the under-14s captain.
MEETING THE REAL XAVI
Naturally young Simons’ idol is the ‘real’ Xavi, and the teenager himself recalled the day he got to meet the man himself.
He said: “I was with the physio when Xavi came over.
“When I told him that my name was also Xavi, he laughed. It was funny. He’s my idol.
“I know it’s difficult but I will do everything to make it.”
That determination, passion and desire mixed with his obvious talent hadn’t gone unnoticed before he moved to France, with English clubs in the past monitoring his progress.
In fact, reports in Spain once suggested Chelsea were so impressed with the youngster, they offered his parents a mega-money deal to relocate to London.
‘GOLDEN CURLS’
Talent is one thing, potential another, but winning? That’s an entirely different ball game.
So is Xavi Simons – dubbed ‘Golden Curls’ in Barcelona – a natural-born winner? You’d better believe it.
After breaking into the Barca youth squad in 2010-11, he made an immediate impact, leading them to the league title at the first time of asking.
He then moved up to the Benjamin A team – again winning the league thanks to a thumping 6-0 victory on the final day of the season.
Another promotion – this time to the Alevin C side – saw the side utterly dominate and romp to yet another league title.
latest football features
In 2016-17, he was part of a youth team that won every single game – all 25 of them – scoring 164 times and conceding just 14.
While it’s a team game, Xavi Simons was the stand-out star and was deservedly awarded the Most Valuable Player award.
Simply put, the ‘new Xavi’ may well have the potential to be better than the ‘original’. But he will have to do it Paris, first.
https://textbacklinkexchanges.com/meet-xavi-simons-the-16-year-old-psg-wonderkid-plucked-from-barcelonas-famed-la-masia-academy-already-earning-1m-per-year/
News Photo Meet Xavi Simons, the 16-year-old PSG wonderkid plucked from Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy already earning £1m-per-year
Advertising
You don’t have to pack away your dress just because you’re the wrong side of 20. These body-beautiful stars reveal their secrets to staying in shape and prove you can smoulder in a two-piece, whatever your age. Read on and be bikini inspired!
Kim says: “I am no super-thin Hollywood actress. I am built for men who like women to look like women.”
https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/NINTCHDBPICT000508480994-e1564066994883.jpg?strip=all&w=960
Комментариев нет:
Отправить комментарий