At 22 years old, Giuliano Simeone is already enjoying a golden moment at Atletico Madrid as a regular in his father Cholo Simeone’s line-up.
He has established himself as a key player in the Atlético Madrid team, and Giuliano himself says this is largely due to sage advice from Lionel Messi that helped him change the way he views the game.
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Advice from Messi that changed Giuliano
The scene took place in a friendly match between Argentina and Chile last June, when Giuliano Simeone repeatedly tried to score and failed. That’s when Lionel Messi approached him and gave him advice that today seems to have changed his career.
“When Messi speaks, you have to listen to him, because he is the best. He told me to calm down and spend a little more time in the area, because I will always find someone who can freely assist,” Giuliano said after the recent 3-0 win against Sevilla.
Since then, the young Argentine has tried to put the advice into practice, spending time in the box to improve his reading of the game. This change in mentality is now reflected in his impressive performances in both La Liga and the Champions League, with him being named the team’s MVP.
Giuliano Simeone, key player in Atlético’s plans
Giuliano Simeone has appeared in seven games so far this season, scoring two goals and providing one assist. However, his greatest qualities were not his ability to score goals or provide assists, but his intensity, dedication and ability to break through down the right flank, and these qualities made him a perfect fit in Atletico’s system.
Evidence of these qualities was the Colchoneros’ second goal against Sevilla, a move born out of Giuliano Simeone’s recovery in the opposition half.
“I won the ball, took another touch in the middle and saw Thiago in the penalty spot. When he pushed, I remembered the play against Osasuna. I’m looking at my game to improve and be more calm,” the player explained, showing a rare maturity for his age.
Giuliano, not “son of Simeone”
His surname opened doors for him, but also raised questions. But time and his performances erased any suspicions of favoritism, and in just 14 months Giuliano went from “Simeone’s son” to Giuliano, a player with his own identity, character and international outlook.
“I’m only thinking about continuing to grow. From the moment I joined the first team, I knew what I wanted to be. And I want to be Giuliano,” the young man said with a mixture of humility and determination.
With his determination, physical ability and the advice of his national teammate Lionel Messi, Giuliano’s future is bright.
