'Everyone dreams of playing with Messi but sometimes you must take another path'
The young midfielder, now at PSG, has spoken to 'NOS'
Xavi Simons swapped Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain in the summer. After just seven games for the club's U19 team, the Dutch midfielder has reflected on his first few months in France.
The 16-year-old was one of the stars of Barça's academy. He decided to leave the club's Cadete A team, though, to test his luck in Paris.
"Everyone dreams of playing with Messi but sometimes you have to choose another path," he said. "I decided to choose another path. I decided to try a new adventure and I think it's good for my development."
Simons had been at Barcelona for nine years, so it was tough when he first turned up to play for PSG's U19 team in completely new surroundings.
"At the beginning it was difficult because all the players were physically stronger," he said. "Now I am used to it and I feel good."
In his first two months with the club, he has already rained with the first team and scored a goal against Real Madrid in the UEFA Youth League, the most important competition for youth teams in Europe.
After seven games, PSG are second in the league, winning five and drawing two. Simons, with over a million followers on Instagram, know he's always the centre of attention.
"I know all eyes are on me," he said. "I have to concentrate on what I want to do. I want to reach the first team as soon as possible. I am 100 percent sure I'm still not at that level, that I have to work hard. In football, anything can happen."
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