Xavi Simons was a Chelsea target by 12 years old, had 2m Instagram followers at 16 but his ‘lack of progression’ upset Lionel Messi and now PSV’s wonderkid can be World Cup breakout star

Xavi Simons is the same age as Jude Bellingham, Jamal Musiala and Pedri but it seems like he’s been around for ever.

The 19-year-old has long been touted as one of football’s next stars and is now finally living up to the hype at PSV Eindhoven.

Simons faced the weight of expectation after exploding onto the scene at Barcelona, having honed his skills at the club’s famed La Masia academy from the age of seven.

But incredibly, the affectionately dubbed ‘Golden Curls’, was spotted even earlier by Barca’s LaLiga rivals Villarreal.

Simons was three years old when Regillio Simons, his father, finished his playing career at TOP Oss in the Netherlands before his family moved to Spain.

“[Xavi] joined the system at Villarreal,’ Simons Sr told Mail. “They were very happy with his progress and wanted him in the academy system but he was aged six and already playing with their U9s.

“I thought it was too early for that. I didn’t want him playing in the U9s at six, so I said no. It was a week later when Barcelona called and wanted him to go for a trial.”

Simons Jr. was a great success at Barcelona. He was considered by many to be the most promising academy talent prospect since Lionel Messi.

Chelsea was one of the clubs to try to capture his services at age 12, but his father insisted that he stay in Spain.

Regillio added: “We have spoken to Chelsea and you know it’s going to be good money at Chelsea.

“Agents approach me to say they are working for English clubs or Spanish clubs. It can’t touch me. I’m not someone who will be starry-eyed.

“Barcelona is already a big club and it brings him some kind of pressure and he is handling it well. That’s good for me.”

It was no surprise Simons’ family were keen for him to continue at the Nou Camp, having named the midfielder after icon Xavi Hernandez.

When his younger nameake began to generate buzz online, the now-Barcelona manager was also a player at Barcelona.

And Xavi once recalled the day the two crossed paths, saying: “I was with the physio when Xavi [Hernandez]They were successful.

“When I told him that my name was also Xavi, he laughed. It was hilarious. He’s my idol.

“I know it’s difficult but I will do everything to make it.”

Unfortunately, Simons wasn’t to emulate him at Barcelona and he ended up signing his first professional contract at Paris Saint-Germain in 2019 without making his senior bow in Catalonia.

He explained: “Everyone dreams of playing with Messi, but sometimes there is another way.

“I decided to try another adventure – and I think that this is good for my development.”

Simons did not know that Messi would eventually follow him to PSG at Parc des Princes a mere two years later.

However, their reunion didn’t work out as planned with Messi reportedly advising Barca boss Xavi not to re-sign Simons this summer.

The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner was said to believe the Dutchman has not progressed enough, according to El Nacional.

Simons’ popularity caused him to have two million Instagram followers before he ever made his professional debut.

After some promising early performances at PSG, he was not in favour with Mauricio pochettino. He made only 11 appearances over the course of three years.

His time in Paris was marred by a penalty missed in a shock shootout loss to Nice in 16 of the Coupe de France.

Simons made the decision to return to his home country after his PSG contract expired at the start of summer.

The 5’7 star signed for PSV and has since flourished with no player under the age of 21 across Europe’s top six leagues bettering his 14 goal involvements (10 goals and four assists) so far this season.

His manager Ruud Van Nistelrooy revealed: “His mentality, his mindset, it’s unprecedented.

“It’s a boy of only nineteen, but Xavi is already much further advanced than his age.

“But he really is a pure professional, a boy who is working towards a goal, who wants to get the most out of his qualities.”

Simons’ form has seen him be tipped to included in Louis van Gaal’s Holland squad for the World Cup next month.

PSG have the option of a buy-back clause next summer and it may be one they can’t wait to activate now that the new Xavi has finally come of age…