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FourFourTwo
Sport
Ryan Dabbs

Netherlands star Xavi Simons had 1m Instagram followers by age 14 after becoming a viral internet sensation - now he's scoring in the Euro 2024 semi-final

Xavi Simons of the Netherlands celebrates the first goal and hypes up the crowd during the Semi-Final - UEFA EURO 2024 match between Netherlands and England at BVB Stadion Dortmund on July 10, 2024 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Joris Verwijst/BSR Agency/Getty Images).

Netherlands forward Xavi Simons may only be 21, but for many football fans he's been a noticeable player for the better part of a decade - largely thanks to his social media presence as a viral internet sensation.

At just 14-years-old, Simons had racked up one million followers on Instagram, with a dedicated social media team looking after his account so that he could focus on his football. The Dutchman amassed those followers from the age of seven, when he signed for Barcelona's La Masia academy.

While in Catalonia, Simons would post videos of his mind-boggling skills and leadership skills, which eventually saw him go viral and see him become the latest wonderkid of his generation. Nike duly signed him as a 13-year-old, hoping his stature on the internet would help promote the brand even further.

VIDEO: How Spain's Lamine Yamal Just DESTROYED France

Others soon followed suit: the late Mino Raiola's agency in 2017, when he was still only 14. "He's a great footballer and he has a great future," Raiola said

Such was his influence, it seemed a path to the Barcelona first team had already been mapped out for Simons. PSG, though, had other ideas. The French side signed Simons, offering him a contract that was reportedly worth €1m a year, despite him being just 16 at the time of his signing. 

Things didn't exactly go to plan for the forward, however. Regular first team minutes became hard to come by and, as he sought assurances over his future, PSV came calling. Back in his homecountry, Simons thrived, scoring 22 goals in 48 games in all competitions during the 2022/23 season.

Simons scores for Netherlands (Image credit: Getty Images)

Fortunately for PSG, they had inserted a €6m buy-back clause in the former internet sensation's contract, which they duly activiated after one season before then proceeding to loan him out to RB Leipzig. 

A fruitful 2023/24 campaign earned Simons a call-up to Ronald Koeman's Netherlands squad for Euro 2024, and he repaid that faith with some stellar performances. His semi-final finish against England highlighted his outstanding ability, while his three assists earlier in the tournament suggest that Simons might just be living up to his wonderkid status. 

More Euro 2024 Netherlands stories 

Get a free live stream to watch Euro 2024 from anywhere in the world for the tournament. 

Analysing the Netherlands penalty danger-men, and what England will likely do, if there is a penalty shootout in the semi-final. 

The Golden Boot will be decided on Sunday, but the race for the personal accolade is really hotting up. But what happens if two players finish level? While the Netherlands and England battle for a place in the final, there’s plenty of information you need to know - such as when the game will kick off and where it’s being played.

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