In the world of modern soccer, the “nepo baby” label is a heavy one to carry. For most, it’s a shadow that follows them from the youth ranks to the pros. But for Giuliano Simeone, the youngest son of Atlético Madrid manager Diego Simeone, that shadow has become a spotlight.
If you’re looking for a success story about a kid who actually put in the work to outrun his last name, Giuliano is it. Today, he isn’t just “Cholo’s son”, he’s a lock in the Atlético starting XI and a vital piece of Lionel Scaloni’s plans for the Argentina national team.
The Summer That Changed Everything
Going into the 2024 Paris Olympics, Giuliano wasn’t even supposed to be there. Javier Mascherano had his squad settled. Giuliano hadn’t played in any of the qualifiers. He was an outsider looking in.
But soccer moves fast. He put in a massive performance in a June friendly against Paraguay, bagging two goals. Argentina sat up and took notice, and Mascherano couldn’t leave him out. By the time the Olympics ended, he was one of Argentina’s standout performers, scoring the lone goal in a 2-1 defeat to Morocco off the bench, then clocking vital minutes in the remaining games.
Back in Madrid the plan was for Giuliano to go back out on loan to Alavés to get more minutes. But Diego Simeone—a man not exactly known for handing out favors, even to family—saw something. He kept him at Atlético.
It proved a wise decision. Giuliano played 47 games across all competitions in the 2024/25 season, logging 2,853 minutes with five goals and eight assists.
Why Scaloni is Sold
In Giuliano, Lionel Scaloni found a player who fits the Argentina DNA perfectly.
“I’m very happy for Giuliano,” Scaloni said. “He has made a big change since he joined us. It’s all his merit. He can play on the right or the left… he will be a great help for our national team.”
For the Albiceleste, Giuliano is a Swiss Army knife. He can play as a traditional winger, as a right-back, or a wing-back who actually knows how to defend. In a team that already has the magic of Messi, Scaloni needs “runners” and Giuliano might be the best runner in the pool.
“You play because of your dad”
Growing up as a Simeone wasn’t easy in the ruthless world of academy soccer. Giuliano hasn’t forgotten the taunts from when he was 12 years old.
“They used to tell me that a lot,” Giuliano told El Larguero. “At first it gets in your head a bit, but later it becomes normal. You know that you play because you love it.”
What sets him apart isn’t just his lungs, it’s his obsession with getting better. Most Giuliano goes to the film. He watches every single one of his mistakes immediately after the whistle blows.
When Walter Samuel called him to give him his first senior call-up, Giuliano famously said he “couldn’t believe it.” But for those watching Atlético, it was the most logical move in the world.
He has inherited his father’s Garra (grit), but his spot in the World Cup squad is being earned through sheer, unglamorous hard work. The “nepo baby” tag is still there, but Giuliano is running so fast he’s leaving it in the dust.
Giuliano has appeared in 37 Atlético Madrid games this season, starting 32 of them, and scoring six goals and producing eight assists.
