Giuliano Simeone, currently playing for Atlético de Madrid, is making waves not just for his performance but also for his heartfelt expressions of nostalgia for his roots at River Plate. At just 22 years old, Simeone has proven himself as a promising talent on European soil, having made his career debut at Zaragoza and Alavés before establishing himself with Atlético.
Raised within the youth divisions of River Plate, Simeone experienced formative years at the club, which he recalls with fondness. "I went through the school and lower ranks at River; I am very grateful because they gave me numerous tools," he expressed during an interview with Infobae. His roots run deep, and even though he flourished abroad, the desire to don the River jersey again lingers strongly. "I hope one day I can be there again. Who knows?" he stated about potentially returning to his childhood club.
Simeone's career path took him away from Argentina at just 16, when he moved to Spain to join Atlético Madrid's youth system. His transfer was without compensation for River because he had not signed a professional contract at the time. Nevertheless, FIFA sanctioned the move and later, when he signed his first contract with Atlético, River received 165,000 euros for training rights. This scenario reflects how young talents often navigate complex footballing regulations.
Currently, Simeone's market value has skyrocketed from 3 million euros last year to 12 million euros today, according to Transfermarkt. This rise can be attributed not only to his contributions on the pitch—where he has featured prominently this season, playing 32 matches, scoring four goals, and providing six assists—but also to his noteworthy performances for the Argentine U23 team at the 2024 Paris Olympics. His presence at the Olympics impressed senior team coach Lionel Scaloni, landing him his first call-up to participate in the South American Qualifiers.
While he acknowledges the challenges posed by numerous other talented players vying for spots on the national team, Simeone firmly declares his identity. "Even though I have lived most of my life in Spain and was born there, I am 100% Argentine," he asserted passionately. His commitment to Argentina was emphasized when recalling how he received his national team call-up. "I was at home when I got a message from an unknown number: 'I am Walter Samuel, can I call you?'" His excitement was evident as he recalled the five seconds it took for him to respond affirmatively to Samuel, highlighting his enthusiasm for representing his home country.
Simeone’s mentality reflects the hard work and dedication indicative of his character. He describes himself as someone who believes strongly in self-criticism and continuous improvement. “I am more about self-criticism, about always having to give a little more. The people have expectations, and what happened yesterday doesn’t count; only today matters. I focus on training and the day to day, and I don’t think about what happened or what is to come,” he stated, alluding to his focus and ambition.
His strong relationship with his father, Atlético Madrid's coach Diego Simeone, stands out as another key aspect of his development both professionally and personally. “The two of us are professionals; we focus on the Atlético Madrid badge and work. When I enter the training ground, he is the team’s coach. It’s as simple as this,” Giuliano clarified, indicating the level of professionalism they maintain within the club's environment.
On the horizon, Giuliano is eagerly anticipating the 2026 World Cup. Identifying it as his great dream, he recognizes the need for hard work to make it a reality: “I need to train hard and improve many things. There are many good players; I hope to be there when the call arrives.” His ambitions reflect both hope and realism, as he stands at the crossroads of his burgeoning football career.
Looking forward to March 5, 2025, Atlético Madrid is set for a high-stakes clash against Real Madrid at 5 PM (Argentine time) for the Champions League round of 16. This prospect brings with it both pressure and excitement, adding to the high attention surrounding Simeone's aspirations and performances this season.
Chatting about his burgeoning career and deep-seated connections, Giuliano Simeone embodies the essence of modern football, where the blend of personal history with professional ambition continues to shape young athletes globally. His story isn't just one of success but is deeply entwined with the legacy of River Plate, aspirations for national glory, and the relentless pursuit of improvement.