Giuliano, the son of Diego Simeone, has been making waves at Atlético Madrid, defying earlier skepticism surrounding his abilities. While initially viewed as merely falling under the shadow of his father’s illustrious career, Giuliano's recent performances have put him firmly on the radar as an indispensable player for the club. His early days were marked by doubts—was he really fit to stand shoulder to shoulder with his more technically gifted peers? Yet, he has begun to prove naysayers wrong, bringing surprising tenacity and energy to the pitch.
“Not fast, but he beats Bolt,” noted one enthusiastic supporter, reflecting the affection fans have developed for him as he celebrates each pass and goal with jubilant fervor. His playing style might lack elegance, but his gritty determination and willingness to fight for every ball resonate deeply with Atlético's ethos.
Switching gears, Keny Arroyo recently etched his name in the history books by scoring his first goal for Besiktas during their 2-1 victory over Antalyaspor on February 25, 2025. The guayaquileño capitalized on a precise low cross after showcasing great positioning, allowing his team to seize control early in the match.
“Arroyo is a very interesting player with immense talent. He played excellently today and scored a beautiful goal,” praised Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the Besiktas manager, emphasizing the significance of Arroyo's integration at the club. This goal not only marked Arroyo’s debut strike but signified his gradual adaptation to European football. He made it clear through his post-goal celebration—pointing to the stands and forming a heart with his hands—that this moment was for someone special to him.
Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo and Al Nassr are continuing their excellent run in the Saudi Pro League. With their recent 2-0 victory against Al Wehda, Ronaldo was once again the star of the show—opening the scoring just three minutes after halftime and showcasing why he remains such a formidable force on the pitch.
What’s particularly noteworthy was the way Ronaldo extended support to teammate Sadio Mané. After scoring himself, he chose to pass the opportunity for another goal directly to Mané, who had been struggling to find the net since January. “This is something I wanted to do to help him build his confidence,” explained Ronaldo post-match, embodying the true spirit of sportsmanship.
Al Nassr’s match faced unexpected hurdles, including travel delays on their way to the stadium due to bus failure, leading to the game starting one hour late. Despite this rocky beginning, Ronaldo’s goal—and his thoughtful assist—helped secure the much-needed victory as they aim to lift their game for the upcoming AFC Champions League challenges.
Lastly, all eyes are on Manchester City as Pep Guardiola commented on the return of talented young player Claudio Echeverri. Fresh off the U-20 South American Championship, where he flourished, Guardiola assured fans of Echeverri’s gradual reintegration back with the senior squad. “He will come and start training with the team to learn the rhythm. Mainly, he will be ready for the end of the season, perhaps for the Club World Cup,” Guardiola noted during the press conference.
Inevitably, with Echeverri's six goals and three assists from his recent tournament appearances, expectations are high. The young talent has had limited senior team exposure due to his commitments with the national squad, but Manchester City fans are eager to see what he will bring to the pitch as they strive for success.
From Atlético Madrid’s gradually blooming star to Keny Arroyo’s scoring debut, Ronaldo's assist-highlighted team play, and Echeverri's anticipated return—this week reinforced how soccer unites players and supporters alike, offering feelings of hope and excitement across the globe.