Diego Simeone is a name that resonates through the halls of Atlético Madrid’s Metropolitano Stadium like few others. At 56 years old, the Argentinian icon has spent nearly two decades shaping the destiny of the club—first as a fierce, double-winning captain, and now as the revered coach who has led Atlético to their seventh European Cup semi-final in 2026. But for all the silverware and roaring crowds, Simeone’s greatest triumphs may lie in the quieter moments of family, loyalty, and resilience that have defined both his career and his life off the pitch.
This week, Atlético’s players gathered at the center circle for their final training session before the club’s most significant match in a decade. The tradition was unmistakable: as Simeone strode through a gauntlet of cheers and playful slaps—from goalkeepers Jan Oblak and Juan Musso to attacking stars Antoine Griezmann and Ademola Lookman—the echoes of applause filled the empty stadium. It was a birthday celebration befitting a man whose presence has become synonymous with Atlético’s identity. As Simeone himself put it after their dramatic quarter-final victory, “Buah! You can’t imagine how good it is to be in the four best teams in Europe.”
Yet, beneath the surface of tactical genius and relentless drive lies a story of family bonds, personal growth, and the challenges of legacy. Simeone’s journey as a father and husband has been as eventful as his footballing exploits. His first marriage to Argentinean model Carolina Baldini lasted two decades and produced three sons: Giovanni, Gianluca, and Giuliano. The couple separated in 2008, but the ties of fatherhood remained unbroken. Simeone’s sons, especially Giuliano, have played a central role in his life and, more recently, in the club’s unfolding narrative.
Giuliano Simeone, born in Italy in December 2002, grew up in Argentina alongside his elder brothers but maintained close connections with his father, often sharing meals via iPad on matchdays when distance kept them apart. Football was always at the heart of their relationship. As Gio recalled, the family home was often littered with tactical scribblings, a testament to Diego’s obsession with the game. Giuliano, the youngest, was frequently seen as a ballboy by the Atlético bench, soaking up the atmosphere and, on more than one occasion, being told by his dad to slow down if the team was ahead. “It was crazy seeing the players up close,” Giuliano once admitted. “I always thought: ‘Imagine being out there; that would be mad.’”
But Giuliano’s path to the Atlético first team was anything but straightforward. At just 16, he left River Plate’s academy to join Atlético’s youth ranks, living with his father and absorbing the nuances of elite football. When he turned 18, Simeone made a pivotal decision: Giuliano needed to stand on his own. He was sent out on loan, first to Zaragoza, then to Alavés, where he overcame a serious ankle injury in 2023—a setback that would have derailed many young careers. Through it all, Giuliano’s determination and work ethic shone through, traits inherited from his father but forged in his own crucible of adversity.
Being the coach’s son brought its own set of challenges. “When I was 12 people said I was playing because I was my father’s son. I try to isolate myself from [that]. I know I won’t be gifted anything,” Giuliano told Cadena Ser. The skepticism was real, and Diego Simeone himself was acutely aware of the pressure. He once remarked, “It would be very difficult to have a son in the dressing room. Very difficult for him, for the relationship, for everyone.” Yet, as fate would have it, Giuliano’s performances made him impossible to overlook. Returning from loan, he started only one of the first eleven games but seized his opportunity when it came, quickly becoming indispensable on the wing—a position his grandfather had long predicted would suit him best.
Giuliano’s relentless energy and versatility did not go unnoticed. “That Simeone, man … bloody hell,” exclaimed Luis García, then-coach of Alavés. “He runs for 90 minutes without stopping. He’s a pain. He’s got a very high level. He makes something out of nothing at any moment.” The praise was echoed in the stands, where fans now clamor for the No 20 shirt emblazoned with “Giuliano” rather than “Simeone,” a subtle nod to the young player’s growing identity apart from his father’s shadow.
Through it all, Diego Simeone has been careful to maintain professional boundaries. “I see a player, not a son,” he insists. Even when Gianluca played for Rayo Majadahonda, father and son would arrive, sit, and leave separately to avoid any hint of favoritism. “Giuliano has a good relationship with his teammates; that’s the thing I’m happiest about in our father-son journey,” Simeone shared, highlighting the importance of merit and camaraderie over blood ties.
Family, however, remains at the core of Simeone’s life. After his first marriage ended, a chance encounter in a Madrid restaurant led him to Carla Pereyra, a successful model and businesswoman. The two quickly discovered shared roots and ambitions, culminating in a secret civil ceremony in Argentina in the summer of 2019, attended by just 50 close friends and family. “We didn’t need a huge party to have a beautiful wedding, so it was perfect,” Carla told Vanitatis magazine. A second, more public celebration followed in Tuscany that September, with 97 guests witnessing their vows at Castello di Casole. Together, they have two daughters, Francesca and Valentina.
Carla has carved out her own space in the world, running a home-renovation company and serving as an ambassador for the Atlético Madrid Foundation. “I’m not a footballer’s wife — I’m a coach’s wife. And that’s not exactly the same,” she quipped, underscoring her independence and the unique pressures of life beside one of football’s most intense managers.
As Atlético Madrid gears up for yet another historic European night, the Simeone family story continues to unfold—one of grit, love, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. Giuliano now sports a tattoo marking the date of his Atlético debut, calling the club “the team of my life,” a sentiment that echoes his father’s lifelong devotion. For Diego Simeone, who celebrated his 56th birthday surrounded by his wife, children, and lifelong friends, there’s little left to wish for. “I’m not in a position to ask for absolutely anything, just to be grateful,” he reflected. With a family legacy firmly intertwined with the club’s fortunes, the next chapter of the Simeone saga promises as much passion and drama as those that came before.