Diego Simeone is an Argentine football manager and former professional midfielder whose career has been closely connected with Atlético Madrid. Born in Buenos Aires on April 28, 1970, he built an impressive playing career in Argentina, Spain and Italy before moving into management. His playing career included Vélez Sarsfield, Pisa, Sevilla, Atlético Madrid, Inter Milan, Lazio and Racing Club.
Simeone later became the manager of Atlético Madrid in December 2011. Under his leadership, the club entered one of the most successful periods in its history, winning major domestic and European trophies. His story contains both positive achievements, such as league titles and European success, and difficult moments, including two Champions League final defeats, making his career a compelling example of persistence and competitive ambition.
Quick Bio
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Diego Pablo Simeone González |
| Known As | Diego Simeone, El Cholo |
| Date of Birth | April 28, 1970 |
| Age | 56 years old |
| Birthplace | Buenos Aires, Argentina |
| Nationality | Argentine |
| Profession | Football manager and former footballer |
| Playing Position | Midfielder |
| Current Club | Atlético Madrid |
| Manager Since | 2006 |
| Atlético Manager Since | December 2011 |
| Wife | Carla Pereyra |
| Children | Five |
| Main Career Field | Professional football |
Early Life and Football Beginnings
Diego Simeone was born in Buenos Aires and began developing his football career in Argentina. He started professionally with Vélez Sarsfield, where he played from 1987 before making the move to European football. His early development established the competitive and energetic qualities that later became trademarks of his playing and coaching careers.
In 1990, Simeone moved to Italy to join Pisa. He subsequently played for Sevilla before Atlético Madrid brought him to Spain in 1994. His ability to combine hard work, tactical awareness and determination helped him establish himself as an important midfielder in European football.
Personal Life and Family
Simeone is married to Carla Pereyra, and the couple have two daughters, Francesca and Valentina. Simeone also has three sons, Giovanni, Gianluca and Giuliano, from his previous marriage to Carolina Baldini.
Football has become an important part of the Simeone family story. His sons Giovanni, Gianluca and Giuliano have pursued professional football careers. Giuliano, in particular, plays for Atlético Madrid and has also represented Argentina at senior level.
Diego Simeone as a Football Player
Simeone enjoyed a long professional career across several major clubs. After Vélez Sarsfield, he played for Pisa and Sevilla before joining Atlético Madrid in 1994. He spent three seasons during his first Atlético spell and became part of the squad that achieved the famous 1995–96 Spanish double.
After Atlético, Simeone joined Inter Milan and then Lazio. At Inter, he won the UEFA Cup in 1998. With Lazio, he won major Italian honors, including Serie A and the Coppa Italia. He returned to Atlético in 2003 before finishing his playing career at Racing Club in 2006.
Argentina National Team Career
Simeone represented Argentina from 1988 to 2002 and earned 106 international appearances, scoring 11 goals. He became the first Argentine player to reach 100 international caps and represented his country at three FIFA World Cups: 1994, 1998 and 2002.
His international honors included Copa América titles in 1991 and 1993 and the 1992 FIFA Confederations Cup. He also won the Artemio Franchi Cup in 1993 and helped Argentina win the silver medal at the 1996 Olympic Games.
Start of Diego Simeone’s Coaching Career
After retiring as a player, Simeone immediately moved into football management. He began at Racing Club in 2006 and subsequently managed Estudiantes, River Plate, San Lorenzo and Catania before returning to Racing in 2011.
His early managerial success arrived with Estudiantes, where he won the 2006 Apertura. At River Plate, he later won the 2008 Clausura. These achievements established Simeone as an emerging manager before he returned to Atlético Madrid in December 2011.
Atlético Madrid: The Defining Chapter
Simeone became Atlético Madrid’s manager on December 23, 2011. His arrival began a remarkable era for the club, combining tactical discipline, intense preparation and a strong team mentality.
His Atlético teams became known for organization, defensive strength, determination and an ability to compete against financially powerful opponents. His famous “partido a partido”, or “match by match,” philosophy reflects his emphasis on concentrating on each immediate challenge.
Major Trophies and Achievements
Simeone has won eight major trophies as Atlético Madrid manager. His achievements include two La Liga titles, in 2013–14 and 2020–21, and the 2012–13 Copa del Rey. Atlético also won the Spanish Super Cup in 2014 under his leadership.
On the European stage, Simeone guided Atlético to two UEFA Europa League titles, in 2011–12 and 2017–18, and two UEFA Super Cups, in 2012 and 2018. Atlético also reached the Champions League final in 2014 and 2016, although the club lost both finals.
Career Records and Longevity
Simeone’s longevity at Atlético Madrid is one of the defining features of his career. In 2026, Atlético officially recorded his 800th match as the club’s manager, a landmark that placed him well ahead of Luis Aragonés, who previously held the club record with 612 matches.
Atlético also states that Simeone has managed the club for 15 seasons and won eight trophies. His professional managerial career reached 1,000 matches, with his record across two decades standing at 563 wins, 225 draws and 212 defeats at that milestone.
Latest Career Developments
Simeone remains Atlético Madrid’s manager in 2026. The club has confirmed that his contract runs until June 30, 2027, continuing a managerial relationship that began in December 2011.
Recent Atlético developments have included squad changes and the integration of new players as Simeone continues to shape the team. His ongoing presence means that the manager remains central to Atlético’s sporting project and long-term identity.
Positive and Challenging Sides of His Career
One of the strongest positive aspects of Simeone’s career is his extraordinary consistency. He has taken Atlético to domestic championships, European trophies and two Champions League finals while remaining at the club for more than a decade.
The negative side is that some important opportunities ended without the ultimate prize. Atlético lost Champions League finals in 2014 and 2016, both against Real Madrid. Nevertheless, those defeats did not prevent Simeone from maintaining Atlético as a leading European club.
Diego Simeone’s Legacy
Simeone’s legacy is strongly connected with Atlético Madrid’s transformation into a consistent challenger for major honors. His achievements have given him a unique place in the club’s history, both because of his earlier success as a player and his extraordinary accomplishments as a manager.
His influence goes beyond trophies. Simeone has established a recognizable football identity built around discipline, collective effort, resilience and competitive intensity. His longevity, eight Atlético trophies and record number of matches managed make him one of the most important figures in the modern history of the club.
Conclusion
Diego Simeone’s journey from a young Buenos Aires footballer to Atlético Madrid’s record-setting manager represents a remarkable football career. As a player, he competed at the highest level with Argentina and major European clubs, collecting domestic and international honors along the way.
As a manager, Simeone has created his greatest legacy at Atlético Madrid. Two La Liga titles, two Europa League trophies, a Copa del Rey, two UEFA Super Cups and a Spanish Super Cup demonstrate the scale of his achievements. His continuing contract through 2027 ensures that his Atlético story is still being written.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Diego Simeone?
Diego Simeone is an Argentine football manager and former professional midfielder. He has managed Atlético Madrid since December 2011.
When was Diego Simeone born?
Diego Simeone was born on April 28, 1970, in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
How old is Diego Simeone?
As of September 2026, Diego Simeone is 56 years old.
What is Diego Simeone’s nationality?
He is Argentine.
How many children does Diego Simeone have?
Simeone has five children: sons Giovanni, Gianluca and Giuliano, and daughters Francesca and Valentina.
How many trophies has Simeone won with Atlético Madrid?
He has won eight major trophies as Atlético Madrid manager, including two La Liga titles, two Europa League titles, one Copa del Rey, one Spanish Super Cup and two UEFA Super Cups.
When did Diego Simeone become Atlético Madrid manager?
Atlético Madrid appointed Simeone on December 23, 2011, and he made his official managerial debut for the club on January 7, 2012.
What is Diego Simeone’s nickname?
His famous nickname is “El Cholo.”
What position did Simeone play?
Simeone played primarily as a midfielder, known for his competitive and combative style.
Is Diego Simeone still Atlético Madrid manager?
Yes. Atlético Madrid has confirmed that Simeone’s contract runs through June 30, 2027.
