Giuliano Simeone is living one of the most meaningful moments of his career, and he took advantage of the international break to reflect on it in an interview with El Larguero. The Atlético de Madrid forward spoke candidly about his development, the path that brought him to the club and the weight of carrying the Simeone surname. Far from dodging difficult topics, he addressed everything with a maturity that confirms his growth both on and off the pitch.

He recalled his days as a ball boy at the Calderón, when he watched football from the sidelines imagining a future that seemed out of reach. “I saw the atmosphere and thought I would never be out there playing,” he admitted. But while he didn’t believe it at the time, his grandfather always did: “He told me I would become a wing-back and that I would play for the national team. He was right about everything.”

Today, with growing minutes and an expanding role, Giuliano acknowledges that both his technical ability and physical level still have room to improve. “I can get better with my shooting, my finishing… I watch all my matches on my own. I’m very self-critical,” he said.

Answering Critics, Escaping the Surname and Building His Own Path

One of the toughest chapters in his development was learning to live with the shadow of his father, Diego Simeone, and those who insisted he played “only because he was the Cholo’s son.”
Giuliano hasn’t forgotten that time: “People told me that a lot when I was a kid, until I was about 12. After that it became normal to hear it. I don’t know if I shut or silenced more than one mouth, but I always tried to focus on myself.”
Today, his progress speaks louder than anything else.

A Star-Studded Visit and a Bond With Sports That Crosses Borders

The day of the interview coincided with a unique moment at the Metropolitano: several Atlético figures attended a training session of the Miami Dolphins, who are preparing for their historic matchup against the Washington Commanders at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Among those present were David Villa, Spain’s all-time top scorer; Antoine Griezmann, 2018 world champion; and Koke, Atlético’s captain. Also in attendance were Marc Pubill, Madrid mayor José Luis Martínez-Almeida, Enrique Cerezo and Miguel Ángel Gil. All of them, big fans of American football, shared impressions with Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, who enjoyed a brief but intense exchange with Diego Simeone himself.

As stars cross paths and the Metropolitano vibrates with different sports, Giuliano continues building his own story. He does it with quiet work, strong character and a clear conviction: the surname may open doors, but only his football keeps them open.