Diego "El Cholo" Simeone is a force of nature. If you’ve ever watched him patrol the technical area for Atlético de Madrid, you know the vibe. It’s high-intensity. It’s grinding. It’s "Cholismo." But honestly, the craziest part of the Simeone story isn't just his tenure in Madrid. It’s his DNA. We’re currently witnessing a rare sports phenomenon where all three of his sons—los hijos del Cholo Simeone—have managed to break into the brutal world of professional European football.
Usually, the "son of a legend" trope ends in disappointment. The pressure is too much. The comparisons are unfair. But Giovanni, Gianluca, and Giuliano aren't just coasting on a famous surname. They’re actually carving out legitimate careers in some of the hardest leagues on the planet.
Giovanni Simeone: The Predator in Italy
Giovanni is the eldest. He’s the one who really proved that the Simeone name could translate to a new generation. While his dad was a gritty, tactical midfielder, Giovanni is a pure finisher. You might know him from his stint at Verona where he went absolutely nuclear, scoring 17 goals in a single Serie A season. That’s not luck. That’s positioning.
He eventually landed at Napoli. Think about that for a second. He arrived at a club where Diego Maradona is a god, carrying the Simeone name, and helped them win their first Scudetto in over three decades. He didn't start every game, but he became the ultimate "supersub." Whenever Napoli needed a late goal in the Champions League or a domestic scrap, Giovanni was there.
He’s 28 now. He’s experienced. He plays with a chip on his shoulder that feels very much like his father, but his skillset is entirely his own. He’s a poacher. He’s the guy who will smell a loose ball in the box before the defenders even realize they’ve made a mistake.
Giuliano Simeone: Fighting Under the Father's Watch
Then there’s Giuliano. This is where it gets interesting for Atlético fans. Out of all los hijos del Cholo Simeone, Giuliano is the one who has had to deal with the most direct scrutiny because he’s actually played under his father.
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Can you imagine that dinner table?
"Hey dad, why didn't I start on Sunday?"
Giuliano spent time on loan at Alavés, and he showed some serious spark before a devastating ankle injury slowed him down in 2023. But he’s back. He’s fast, he’s versatile, and unlike Giovanni, he’s more of a winger or a second striker. He has that "grinta"—that grit—that his father demands from every player. When he’s on the pitch, he runs until his lungs burn. It’s basically a requirement in the Simeone household.
Gianluca Simeone: The Different Path
Gianluca is the middle child. Football is fickle, and his journey hasn't been the straight shot to the Champions League that Giovanni had. He’s a striker, too, but he’s spent more time in the lower divisions, finding his feet in places like Spain’s Segunda Federación with clubs like Tudelano or CD Ibiza.
Is he a failure because he's not at Napoli? Absolutely not.
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Staying in the professional game at any level in Spain is an immense achievement. He represents the reality of the sport. Not everyone hits the top flight by 20. He’s a physical presence, a classic number nine who battles for every inch. His career reminds us that the Simeone work ethic applies even when the bright lights of the San Siro aren't shining on you.
The "Cholismo" Gene: Is it Nature or Nurture?
People always ask if the boys were forced into this. From every interview Diego has given, it seems the opposite. He was actually quite hard on them. He didn't want them to play unless they were obsessed.
There’s a famous story about how he wouldn't let them just "play" for fun; they had to understand the tactics. They had to watch film. They had to respect the ball.
You see it in their defensive work rates. Most strikers are lazy. They wait for the ball to come to them. Los hijos del Cholo Simeone do not wait. They press. They harry defenders. They make life miserable for the opposition's backline. That is the tactical imprint of their father. It's a brand.
Key differences between the brothers:
- Giovanni: The most accomplished. A clinical Serie A veteran.
- Gianluca: The journeyman. Gritty, physical, and persistent in the Spanish tiers.
- Giuliano: The spark plug. High pace, high energy, and the one closest to the Atleti heart.
Why This Matters for Football's Future
We’re seeing a rise in "legacy" players—think Erling Haaland or Marcus Thuram—but having three brothers all making it as pros is statistically insane. It speaks to a specific type of mental conditioning.
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The Simeone family isn't just a family; they’re a footballing institution. They have managed to navigate the toxic "nepo baby" discourse by simply being too hard-working to ignore. You can't call someone a "nepo baby" when they’re sliding into tackles and scoring headers in the 90th minute of a cold Tuesday night match.
If you’re following European football, you have to keep an eye on these three. Giovanni is still a threat in Italy. Giuliano is developing into a La Liga staple. Gianluca continues to fight through the competitive Spanish pyramid.
To truly understand their impact, look at how they handle pressure. They don't hide. They embrace the name on the back of the jersey.
Actionable Insights for Following the Simeone Legacy:
- Watch Giuliano’s Movement: If you want to see how "Cholismo" translates to modern wing play, watch Giuliano’s off-the-ball runs. He’s teaching a masterclass in space creation for Alavés or Atlético.
- Track Giovanni’s Efficiency: Check his goals-per-minute ratio. He’s often used as a tactical sub, and his ability to impact a game in under 20 minutes is something young strikers should study.
- Ignore the Hype, Watch the Work: When scouting these players, look at their defensive actions. The Simeone brothers are often among the top strikers for "pressures in the final third," a key metric for modern scouting.
- Follow the Lower Leagues: Keep an eye on the RFEF divisions in Spain. Gianluca’s path shows that the Simeone resilience isn't just for the elite; it's a blueprint for any player trying to survive in professional sports.
The story isn't over. With Diego still at the helm of one of the world's biggest clubs and his sons scattered across the top leagues, the Simeone influence on football is only going to grow deeper. This is a dynasty built on sweat, not just a name.