October 2019. PSG U19 meets Club Brugge U19 in the 3rd round of the UEFA Youth League. In the center of the field is 16-year-old Xavi Simons, who just moved from La Masia in the summer. There is interest, hype, pressure around him. But on the field, he behaves like a mature leader. From the first minutes of the match, Simons shows confidence. His dribbling and vision of the field are immediately noticeable. Xavi is not afraid to take responsibility, he actively participates in creating attacks, demonstrating not only individual skills, but also the ability to work in a team. Each of his passes is not just a pass, but a real opportunity for his teammates. He understands when to speed up and when to slow down the game to maintain control of the situation. In the stands, there are many scouts who are watching his game. An aura has already formed around him, which only strengthens with every move he makes on the field. Xavi catches the eye of the crowd and, even under pressure, remains focused. His predecessors at La Masia have always been known for their ability to withstand challenges. Simons is no exception.
During one of the attacks, he receives the ball in the center of the field and, instantly assessing the situation, makes a penetrating pass to the flank. A teammate, seizing the moment, gets a chance to shoot. Although this moment does not end with a goal, the very fact that Simons initiated a dangerous attack speaks volumes about his leadership qualities. At half-time, the coach draws attention to how Xavi interacts with the rest of the players. He is not just a player who wants to shine with his individual skill, but also one who understands that the success of the team is more important than personal achievements. The coach emphasizes that these are the qualities that make him a future star. In the second half, Brugge begins to press more actively, but Simons remains calm. He uses his skills to escape from the pressure, directing the ball into open areas and opening up space for attacks. His movements on the pitch resemble those of a chess player who can already predict the opponent’s actions several moves ahead.
In one of the key attacks, Xavi receives the ball on the edge of the penalty area. Instead of shooting straight away, he feints, dribbling past the defender, and sends the ball into the bottom corner of the goal with a precise shot. This goal becomes the culmination of the match, and the stands explode with applause. Simons once again demonstrates that he can take responsibility at key moments. After the match, journalists do not miss the opportunity to ask him questions. Xavi modestly says that this is a team victory, and not his personal achievement. He notes that the team has a spirit of unity and support. It is important to him that each player feels part of a common cause, and this is how he believes great success can be achieved.
In the following weeks, interest in him only increases. Many aspiring footballers dream of becoming like him. Simons becomes a role model – an example of how to combine individual skills with team play. His success on the pitch inspires many young footballers, who begin to train more, striving to repeat his achievements. By the end of the season, Xavi Simons becomes not only one of the best players on the team, but also an important figure for the entire club. His performance in the UEFA Youth League attracts the attention of not only scouts, but also the coaches of the main PSG team. He gets a chance to prove himself at a higher level, and everyone understands that this is only the beginning of his career. Thus, the match against Brugge was not just another game in the tournament, but an important stage in the life of Xavi Simons, which showed that he is ready for big challenges and is able to cope with any difficulties.
It is clear from the first minutes that Simons is the core of the PSG structure. He is not afraid to take the ball under pressure, dictates the tempo, accelerates attacks with short and diagonal passes. Already in the 20th minute, he creates a moment – a breakthrough in the center and a pass into the penalty area, a shot – the post. This episode becomes iconic: it shows not only his individual abilities, but also how he can influence the game of the whole team. With each new moment, Xavi demonstrates more and more confidence. His interaction with his partners becomes more coordinated. He understands when it is better to pass the ball into the free zone, and when it is worth keeping it for a more advantageous situation. This ability to anticipate the actions of his teammates and opponents allows him to be one step ahead.
In the 35th minute of the match, Simons again finds himself in the center of events. He receives the ball on the flank, dribbles the defender and makes another accurate pass into the penalty area. This time his teammate doesn’t miss and the ball ends up in the back of the net. PSG take the lead and the atmosphere in the stands becomes even more tense and intense. The spectators begin to understand that this young talent is capable of more. At half-time, the team’s coach emphasizes that it is players like Xavi who make the difference in key games. The coach emphasizes the importance of his play in the center of the field, where he not only controls the ball but also creates space for other players. This understanding of tactics and strategy makes him an indispensable member of the team. In the second half, Brugge tries to change the course of the game by increasing the pressure. But Simons remains cool. His self-confidence allows him to get out of difficult situations, he uses his dribbling skills to get past opponents and keep the ball. He constantly moves, opening himself for a pass and thus creating new attacking opportunities.
In the 60th minute, Xavi is again the center of attention. He receives the ball on the edge of the penalty area, feints and shoots on goal. The opposing goalkeeper manages to react, but the shot is too powerful. The ball hits the crossbar and bounces back into the field. The Brugge defenders are confused, and Simons wastes no time in picking up the ball and making another attempt. Unfortunately, this time the ball goes wide. However, his persistence does not go unnoticed. His teammates are inspired by his example. Simons becomes not only a leader on the field, but also a moral stimulus for the entire team. His energy and desire to win are transmitted to other players, and PSG begins to dominate the game.
In the 75th minute, Simons finds another opportunity for a pass. He makes a great pass to the far post, where his teammate is already preparing to shoot. This moment ends with a goal, and the joy in the stands knows no bounds. PSG is confidently leading the score, and everyone understands that the merit in this is huge. In the final minutes of the match, Xavi continues to actively participate in the game, fighting for every ball and maintaining the tempo. He does not allow the opponents to relax and is constantly looking for opportunities for new attacks. His game becomes an example to follow, and even after the final whistle, he continues to communicate with his teammates, discussing moments that could improve their game. After the match, Simons becomes a hero. Journalists and fans admire his game. He answers questions with a smile, emphasizing that it was a team victory. Xavi does not forget to mention the importance of each player and their role in the overall strategy. His modesty and ability to lead the team make him not only an outstanding footballer, but also a real leader.
In the 38th minute, PSG opens the scoring: Simons receives the ball between the lines, instantly plays the ball with the striker into the wall and rolls the ball in one touch. The striker goes one-on-one and scores – a goal signed by Xavi. This moment becomes not only the key one in the match, but also a vivid example of his game intelligence and ability to make quick decisions. Simons, as always, demonstrates incredible precision in his actions. He knows when to pause and when to accelerate.
In the 45th minute, after a quick counterattack, Simons is again in the center of the action. He receives the ball on the left flank and starts dribbling, confidently getting past the defender. His speed and technique allow him to create space for a shot. He passes to the center, where his teammate is already waiting. This moment again shows how important his vision of the field and ability to work in a team are. With each passing minute, Xavi becomes more and more noticeable. His actions inspire other players, and they begin to act more harmoniously.
