Giuliano Simeone: Carving His Own Path at Atlético Madrid

Giuliano Simeone’s journey with Atlético Madrid began long before he donned the professional jersey. At the tender age of eight, he served as a ball boy at their former stadium, but his path to the first team was anything but straightforward.

After spending several years in River Plate’s youth academy, he was eventually recruited by Atlético’s youth system while his father was establishing himself as the head coach of the senior team. However, it was through loan spells at Real Zaragoza and Deportivo Alavés that he laid the groundwork for his eventual emergence in the capital.

The 2024-25 season marked a significant turning point for him: he scored his first senior goal, made his debut in the Champions League, and began to assert his influence in his father’s rigorous tactical framework.

Throughout his career, Giuliano has faced a recurring criticism: the perception that his opportunities stem from being Diego Simeone’s son. Every debut, promotion, and appearance has been accompanied by skepticism regarding his merit. He is acutely aware that these accusations will likely persist.

In an interview with El Larguero, he addressed the nepotism narrative directly, stating, “I’ve mentioned this many times: we have a respectful coach-player dynamic. When we enter training at Cerro del Espino, he is the coach, and I am the player. The player adheres to the coach’s directives. Outside of training, he’s my father who loves me deeply, just like any parent. We often discuss football together, and we have a WhatsApp group where my brothers share videos of their performances for collective feedback. We’re all passionate about the game as a family.”

At the age of 22, Giuliano reflected on the early criticisms he faced, stating, “I encountered these comments often as a child. People would say, ‘You only play because you’re your father’s son.’ Initially, it bothered me, but over time, I learned to focus on my love for the game and my commitment to give my best. I strive to block out external noise and concentrate on my personal growth.”

Giuliano credits much of his recent development to the physical demands of Atlético’s training environment. The club’s high conditioning standards have transformed him, enhancing his strength, speed, and overall fit for his father’s defensive-heavy football philosophy. Training alongside elite teammates has elevated his technical skills.

He diligently reviews each match the following morning after the adrenaline subsides to identify areas for improvement, particularly in his striking and finishing. “I always analyze my games, but prefer not to do it with my dad; there’s already plenty of analysis at the Cerro! I watch my performances because I enjoy it, and I find it essential for my development. I used to immediately watch matches upon returning home and would lose sleep over them. Now, I approach it differently, often saying to myself, ‘What a great match I played!’ only to reassess it critically later.”

His ascent has not been without challenges, but it has been consistent. Giuliano netted three goals over two seasons with Atlético B, then excelled in the physically demanding Segunda Division with Zaragoza, where he scored nine goals and played a pivotal role in their offense. His progress was temporarily derailed by a serious injury during his loan at Alavés, necessitating a lengthy rehabilitation that tested his mental fortitude. However, he returned to Atlético stronger, quickly making his mark with his first goals in La Liga and the Champions League.

Currently, Atlético Madrid is in the process of finalizing an extension that will keep Giuliano at the club until 2030, accompanied by a salary adjustment that reflects his growing importance. Previously among the lowest earners in the first team—a common situation for academy graduates—his increased role has made this renewal a priority. Giuliano aspires to emulate the career of Koke, stating, “I am incredibly happy to be at Atlético and hope to remain here for many years. I dream of achieving a career like his.”