League: EPL Sport: Soccer Country: England Category: Transactions

Xavi Simons discusses reasons for leaving Barcelona for PSG

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 25, 2026, 10:55 AM

Last updated Jul 25, 2026

Xavi Simons discusses reasons for leaving Barcelona for PSG

Summary

Former Barcelona academy midfielder Xavi Simons addressed his departure from the club in 2019, stating it was due to a lack of faith from Barcelona's management. Speaking ahead of his second season with Tottenham Hotspur, he insisted financial reasons were not the driving factor. Simons explained that he felt overlooked compared to other players and ultimately chose PSG for its promising project. He expressed pain over the misconceptions surrounding his exit, emphasizing his long-standing ties to Barcelona. Despite past rumors, a return to Barcelona has not materialized since his departure.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

Key Details

•Xavi Simons left Barcelona for PSG at age 16 in 2019.
•He felt Barcelona did not believe in his potential.
•Simons emphasized financial reasons were not a factor.
•His departure was marked by significant public debate.
•Rumors of a return to Barcelona have not been realized.

Latest Updates

11:00 PMYahoo Sports — ‘They didn’t believe in me’ – Xavi Simons opens up on Barcelona exit
10:55 AMYahoo Sports — Xavi Simons breaks silence on Barcelona exit: ‘Stories came out that hurt me, they didn’t believe in me’

What they're saying

"
Former Barcelona academy midfielder Xavi Simons has spoken publicly about his controversial departure from the club in 2019, insisting that his decision to join PSG was driven by a lack of faith from ...
— Yahoo Sports